Spaghetti squash - pressing block 10x10 cm

This elongated brightly colored yellow spaghetti squash is a fun and unique variety.

The flesh of this squash is very similar to spaghetti. It has a tender but fibrous texture that breaks apart into long strands after the cooking process.

Ideal for teaching your children to eat vegetables or as an alternative to pasta for those with a gluten allergy.

CULTIVATION TIPS:
The pumpkin is a plant that is very sensitive to night frost, so definitely do not plant out too early. Normally you can plant outside from mid-May without risk.

Also keep in mind that the plant needs a lot of space. The pumpkin grows best in a sunny environment because it does like heat. For these reasons, planting it on a compost heap is definitely not a bad idea, the heat released from composting is a boon to the pumpkin.

For best results, top the plant as soon as it reaches about 5 feet tall to allow it to form side shoots. Keep 2 to 3 side shoots. When the plant has set a number of fruits it is better to remove the ever-rising side shoots so that all the plant's energy can go to the fruits.

Pumpkins need a lot of water, so try to keep the soil moist but not too wet. On very hot days it is advisable to water even twice a day, as the large leaves evaporate enormously.

PROBLEMS AND DISEASES:
The main disease in pumpkins is powdery mildew. This disease can be recognized by the white spots on the leaves. Mildew usually occurs later in the season. The leaves will die but you will suffer virtually no loss of production.

HARVEST AND STORAGE:
Pumpkins really can't stand night frost, so keep an eye on the weather forecast and be sure to harvest before the first fall night frost. Light frost can already be fatal.

Pumpkins for consumption should be harvested at an early stage. If the fruits are too large, the taste deteriorates. The ideal time to harvest pumpkins is late August, early September. A pumpkin is ripe when longitudinal stripes appear on the fruit stem, these stripes appear to be slightly corked.

If you are going to harvest the pumpkin, always leave a stem of about four inches on the pumpkin, this will improve its storability. Harvest pumpkins carefully to avoid damage, and therefore in all likelihood rotting at a later stage. Store pumpkins in a dry, not too cold place. This way you can keep them for up to four months.

CULINARY:
The spaghetti squash is best cooked by boiling whole in water or roasting halved in the oven with olive oil. The pumpkin strands can be served as spaghetti or pasta with a sauce of your choice. A gluten free, delicious and low calorie alternative! The flesh can be gratinated or used as a vegetable in casseroles. Highly recommended!