Winter varieties have a harder shell. Pumpkins are the best-known winter squash. Nutrition Summer squashes are high in vitamins A and C and niacin. When buying zucchini, look for smooth, green skin and no sign of shriveling or bruising. The smaller ones taste better than the larger ones.
Large zucchini tends to be dried out and mealy.
When purchasing winter squash, look for firm, heavy squash with no blemishes. Acorn squash looks like a large acorn in shape and usually has several colors, ranging from green to orange to yellow. Butternut squash is tan colored, and is elongated with a bulbous end. The meat is bright orange and mildly sweet. Hubbard squash has an odd-shaped shell that may be pale gray to green colored.