2026-04-09T15:40:29-04:00

Price: 2.39 - 10.49 (3 variants)

Squash

Squash, most commonly the Calabaza or West Indian Pumpkin, is a heavy, nutrient-dense fruit harvested from the Cucurbita moschata vine, a sprawling botanical that blankets the garden floors of Guyana and the West Indies. Encased in a thick, mottled green and tan rind, it is a resilient pillar of the Caribbean harvest. These fruits are chosen for their high concentration of Vitamin A and complex carbohydrates, historically valued as a "ground provision" that provides lasting physical strength and internal warmth.

Flavor Profile

The flavor is deeply earthy, nutty, and mellow, characterized by a natural, honey-like sweetness that intensifies when cooked. Because it is a starch-rich botanical, it has a heavy, firm, and dense body that transforms into a smooth, buttery cream once heated. It leaves a comforting, savory sweetness on the palate that acts as a soothing base for the "heat" of Caribbean green seasonings.

Typical Use

It is most frequently used as a thickening agent and a primary savory vegetable. In Caribbean households, squash is rarely eaten raw; instead, it is diced into "blue-food" soups or "set" into pots of rice and peas to melt into the liquid, giving the dish a signature golden-orange hue and a rich, silky mouthfeel. Because of its structural integrity, it is also a staple for "talkaris" and stews where it is simmered until tender yet substantial.

Cultural Use & Recipes

Vitality Restorative: Culturally, squash is used as a natural tonic to "build the blood" and support eye and skin health. It is a staple in Caribbean culinary traditions for its ability to provide a "heavy" and sustaining meal that fuels the body for manual labor.

The "Melted" Soup Base: To prepare traditionally, peel and cube the squash and add it to a large pot of boiling water along with split peas, pigtail or salt-beef, and flour dumplings. Allow the squash to boil until it completely dissolves into the broth, creating a thick, vibrant orange "Saturday Soup" that is the ultimate comfort meal.

Roasted Squash Mash: For a savory preparation, slice the squash into thick wedges and roast them with the skin on until the flesh is soft. Scoop the pulp from the rind and mash it with sautéed onions, garlic, and hot bird peppers. This creates a sweet-and-savory "choka" that is traditionally served with hot sada roti.

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Fresh squash sold by weight.