If you’re wondering about the difference between summer squash vs. winter squash, here’s all you need to know! There are some key differences between the two types of squash, but most of it stems (no pun intended!) from how long the squash is kept on the vine.

Read on for the scoop on summer squash vs. winter squash!

Two images in a vertical format. The first image shows a variety of summer squash. The second image, a variety of winter squash. The text reads, "summer squash vs. winter squash."

Summer Squash

Summer squash are young squash that are best enjoyed right after picking (or a few days after). You pick them young, when their rind has not yet thickened and hardened.

Summer squash are generally tender with a thin skin and need to be eaten pretty quickly after being plucked from its vine … like this zucchini.

Certain types of squash are generally considered to taste better and be more suited to growing as a summer squash.

Summer squashes includes zucchini, crookneck squash, pattypan, and yellow squash.

Winter Squash

Most types of winter squash, on the other hand, are kept on the vine until a hard, nearly impenetrable rind forms around the squash. This makes most of them perfect for storing for long periods of time.

This way, their nutrient-dense flesh can be enjoyed all winter long. These types of winter squash also include pumpkins.

You’ll often find that the word “squash” and “pumpkin” are used interchangeably. A good example of this is Kabocha Squash, which is also often called Kabocha Pumpkin or Japanese Pumpkin. This is actually the pumpkin you’ll find in your Starbucks pumpkin spice latte!

Winter Squash at Market

Summer Squash vs. Winter Squash

In summary, these are the differences between summer squash and winter squash:

  • Differences in the rind: Summer squash has a thin rind; winter squash has a thick rind.
  • Picked young vs. picked mature: Summer squash is picked when young and tender; winter squash is allowed to grow and ripen so that it has a thick outer rind.
  • Short storage vs. long storage: Summer squash needs to be eaten relatively soon after picking it. Winter squash can often be stored for months in a cool, dark place before preparing to eat it.
  • Seed maturity: Summer squash usually has young, tender, barely detectible seeds, such as zucchini, and can be prepared whole. Winter squash has fully developed seeds that are generally scooped out before eating the flesh of the squash.

Now, if you really want to dig into the nitty gritty, here’s more:

Winter Squash vs. Summer Squash Scientific Classification

Both summer squash and winter squash are a part of the Cucurbitaceae family. They are in the Cucurbita genus, then are separated out by species.

Summer squashes are most commonly a part of the Cucurbita pepo species, but that species also contains winter squashes Acorn, Delicata, and Spaghetti Squash. Then, there are a couple of other species that contain winter squashes such as Cucurbita maxima (such as Turban or Hubbard) and Cucurbita moschata (Butternut, many pumpkins).

See my article, “What is a gourd?” for even more info about scientific classification (and how hard it can be to wrap one’s head around the word “gourd” and its exact meaning!)

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