A delicious and versatile vegetable, winter squash is actually a member of the gourd family. It has a hard thick shell and seeds. The deep yellow to orange flesh is firmer than that of summer squash and therefore requires longer cooking. The most common varieties of winter squash include Acorn, Butternut, Hubbard, Spaghetti and Turban.
Acorn squash is small, dark green, acorn shaped with deep ridges.
Butternut is bell or gourd shaped with smooth, thin light beige to orange skin that is easy to peel. The flesh is orange, fine textured and sweet in flavor. It cooks more quickly than other hard-shelled squash. Hubbard is large, often weighing 12 pounds or more. Spaghetti squash is oval shaped yellow and mild tasting.