Magness et al. The winter squashes are varieties of Cucurbita species that are harvested when the fruits are fully mature and the rinds are hard. The flesh is usually finer grained and milder flavored than pumpkins , otherwise they are similar.
Fruits have smooth hard rinds.
Thev vary in shape from flattened to heart shaped to very oblong, and in size from 4 to 5 inches in length and diameter to 2 feet long and 18 inches through. Fresh as cooked vegetable, also canned and frozen.