Celebrating Squash Season at Groombridge Farm Shop

As the days grow shorter and the leaves turn golden, nothing says autumn quite like the arrival of colourful, characterful squashes. Squashes are a diverse family of vegetables, ranging from tender summer types to robust winter varieties that store beautifully. Right now on the farm, we’re enjoying a fantastic harvest. Here’s a look at the varieties we’re growing and selling this season:

Crown Prince Squash – £1.80/kg

A true farm shop favourite! With its steely blue-grey skin and vibrant orange flesh, Crown Prince is one of the best-flavoured squashes around. Its sweet, nutty taste works in both savoury and sweet dishes. Even better, it stores well right through the winter if kept cool and dry.

Spaghetti Squash – £1.80/kg

A fun and unusual variety. When baked or roasted, its golden flesh separates into spaghetti-like strands. Perfect as a low-carb pasta alternative – simply top with tomato sauce, pesto, or garlic butter. A real treat to find at the farm shop!

Harlequin Squash – £1.55 each

This small, beautifully patterned squash is yellow with orange-to-green striations. Its sweet, starchy flesh tastes a little like corn, making it perfect for roasting. Thanks to its single-serving size, it’s also ideal for stuffing.

Turk's Turban Squash – £1.80/kg

A true showstopper. With its quirky turban-like shape and mottled skin in shades of green, orange, and yellow, it’s often used for decoration. But don’t let that fool you – its mild, nutty flesh is tasty in soups, roasts, and bakes. Hollow it out and it even makes a stunning soup tureen!

Acorn Squash –  £1.55 each

Small but mighty, acorn squash has a subtly sweet, nutty flavour and bright orange flesh. The skin is edible too, making it easy to cook. Bake, roast, steam, or microwave – it’s one of the most versatile squashes around.

Kabocha Squash – £1.55 each

Also known as Japanese pumpkin, kabocha has rich orange flesh with a naturally sweet flavour. Roast it, steam it, or turn it into silky soups and purées. It’s especially good for pies – a lovely alternative to pumpkin.

Ornamental Squash – £1.30 each

Perfect for autumn displays! These colourful little squashes brighten up cornucopias, centrepieces, and window sills. The larger hard-skinned gourds can even be crafted into birdhouses or bowls.

Pumpkins – from £1.45/kg

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving – they’re delicious too. Their sweet, mild flesh is fantastic in soups, curries, pies, or simply roasted. Smaller pumpkins tend to be sweeter, while larger ones make great decorations. They also store well for months, making them a seasonal staple.

Seasonal Recipe Inspiration

If you’re wondering what to cook, here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Crown Prince Soup – roast chunks with garlic and onion, then blend into a velvety soup.
  

• Stuffed Harlequin Squash – bake filled with rice, herbs, and roasted veg.
  

• Spaghetti Squash Bake – top the strands with a rich tomato sauce and cheese, then bake until bubbling.

• Pumpkin Pie – a classic autumn treat with warming spices.