The Differences Between Summer and Winter Squash

There are two categories of squash:winterand summer.

There are also different zucchini types, including the ‘Black Beauty’ and ‘Dunja’ varietals.

Fast-growing and high-yield, one or two plants are often enough for one family garden.

Summer Squash

Carolyn Ross and Photolibrary / Getty Images

The key is to harvest round zucchini when the vegetable is still small, immature, and tender.

Otherwise, this style is much the same as its larger version.

Look for ‘Eight Ball’ cultivars, one of the most popular and easy-to-come-by round zucchini.

Zucchini fruit attached to plant stems closeup

The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky

Left longer, they ripen to a tan color similar to abutternut squash.

Often Italian heirlooms, it’s no wonder these are just a bit more special in look and flavor.

Use them in cooking just as you would any of the other styles.

patty pan

Marie Iannotti

Eight Ball Zucchini

Round ZucchiniSara Rosso / Getty Images

kousa squash

EgyptianStudio / Getty Images

Yellow Summer Squash

Yellow ZucchiniBruceBlock / Getty Images

striped zucchini

Sharon Lapkin / Getty Images

zucchini and yellow squash

Harland Schuster

Zephyr squash

Lori Rice