HARVEST AND USE

All winter squashes need to mature properly, so wait to pick until rinds are fully colored up from dark green to bright yellow-orange. and tough enough to resist piercing with a fingernail and vines have died back. Then cut, leaving a good stem handle. Let them cure for 10 days in the sun, then store in a cool dry place and they’ll keep for months.

In the kitchen, cut Baby Spaghettis in half and scoop out the seeds, then bake until tender. Fork up the spaghetti-like strands of tender, nutty squash, then top with your favorite sauce or a dollop of butter and a sprinkle of salt.

GROWING NOTES

Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering with plastic berry baskets at sowing time, removing before plants get crowded. To make picking easier and save space, vines can be trained up trellises or tepees.