Gem squash
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Vegetables | 84 comments
“We’re going to have a gem squash for supper tonight.”
I produced the dinky vegetable for Danny to see.
“How do you cook it?”
“Prick the skin in a few places and simmer for 20 minutes. Cut it in half and serve with lashings of butter and ground black pepper.”
“So it’s tasteless then?”
I knew that I would have a bit of a fight on my hands to get him to taste the squash. So I thought up a delicious supper menu that would allow the squash to be slipped surreptitiously under the blanket, so to speak.
I went up to the Rat Room and announced the menu to Danny.
“Lamb cutlets, flash fried in bacon fat with tarragon, cardamom, allspice and white wine. Individual ramekins of creamed potato with a parmesan topping, Lightly mashed flageolets with creme fraiche and Tabasco and scattered with crisp, streaky bacon. And squash.”
He heroically waved the squash through. Who wouldn’t on a Wednesday evening?
The asparagus steamer was handy for simmering the squash (I knew that it would be useful outside the asparagus season). I sliced it in two when the rest of the meal was ready and had a teeny taste before D rumbled downstairs. It was sweet and tasty. Delicious.
Danny’s fork hovered over the plate. Would he eat the best or worst bit first? He bravely scooped out some gem squash and tasted it.
“This is the first time in my life that I have enjoyed a squash. How much do they cost? I must look out for them in the remaindered bin at Waitrose.”
A good move as they have a long shelf life. However, the fresher they are the better. Gem squash are a delicacy.
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I have posted up on my garden blog my new project!! I can’t wait till spring now. Will have a look at their website, thanks!!!!
Hi Pat,
I didn’t save the seed because you cook the squash whole. I would imagine that Thompsons and Morgan would have the seed on their site. I have just checked, they have a large range of squash seed, including the Jack be Little mentioned by Kate(uk).
Your fennel seed isn’t quite ready yet!
Fiona, did you save the seed from the squash you ate???
Hi Amanda,
I love reading restaurant menus 🙂
Hi Pat,
They were yummy and sweet. Some people cook them and eat them cold.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for dropping by. I am going to grow them next year. They have got to be better, fresh from the garden.
Hi Kate(uk)
Thanks for the tips on good varieties to grow in the UK.
Hi Ash,
Great ideas for cooking with squash. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Pat,
They are top of my list for growing next year.
Ohhhh all these lovely comments I am definately going to try growing some next year.
You know, I grew these in my garden this year and I was SO SO HAPPY!
They don’t sell them here in Holland so there was no chance of ever getting any.
I grew Rolet, but despite saying that they store well some of mine changed colour and went orange? My mom says that hardly ever happens in Africa, except if it’s very cold.
If you get really young ones you can eat the skin too 🙂 And you know what else you can do? You can stuff them with a vegetable mixture or with mince and top them with cheese and then put them under the grill (after cooking them of course!)
I grew some tiny pumpkins this year- Jack be Little- they grow to around tennis ball size and are lovely to roast whole or quartered, seeds and all. Despite the rubbish weather and mildew they still produced fruits so I’m trying them again next year.I’ve a couple of little Gem so on your recommend they will be eaten tomorrow!
Good grief! Gems — multiple varieties, at that — are a dirt-common staple here in SA. So much so that I don’t generally bother growing them, as they’re cheaper in the stores, and pretty-much available year round. Of course they’re much, much nicer fresh from the garden, so perhaps I should find an odd spot and bang a few seeds in… hmmm.
If anyone wants seed for them I have at least a couple of varieties hanging around — just drop me a line.
I would love to get my hands on a half doz seeds of gem squash
Ron Weitzel
197 St Rt 511
Nova Ohio
44859 USA
I will try to make it worth your while by return post thank you
Hi I would really appreciate getting some Gem Squash seeds.
3630 Lakeside Pointe NW
Kennesaw 30144
Georgia
Hello Mike, do you have a seeds of gem squash now?
I agree that sounds delicious!!!! Haven’t tried Gem Squash before. I like squash so guess I need to have a look out for this one next shopping trip. Thanks!!!
Have you thought about setting up a little side line business, helping restaurants with how to word their menus?