11 of the Best Winter Squash Varieties

When you plant a crop like zucchini, it’s all about savoring the moment, and enjoying summer’s bounty. Growing winter squash on the other hand – that shows you’re thinking ahead.

So, treat your future self to a feast – pick winter squash varieties that will fit your growing season and the dimensions of your garden, and please your palate.

Winter squash is one of my favorite vegetables, both to eat and to grow. And although the payoff is delayed, since you have to be patient throughout the summer and let your crop mature, what a payoff it is!

We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

I love choosing winter squash seed varieties to plant each year almost as much as I enjoy actually eating the fruits of my labor. Almost.

So, I’ve put together this roundup of some of the best winter squash varieties around, making sure to include something for everyone when it comes to plant size, days to maturity, taste, and texture.

I’ll also be sure to let you know what species each of these cultivars is, in case you want to save seeds.

Here’s a peek at my list:

‘Angel Hair’ is a highly productive hybrid variety of spaghetti squash that offers personal-sized fruits.

Each plant produces up to fifteen egg-shaped squash that weigh in at one and a half to two pounds each. They measure three and a half to four inches wide, and four to five inches tall.

‘Angel Hair’ has a dark yellow rind enclosing light yellow flesh that shreds into strands of fine “spaghetti.”

I like to enjoy the mild but crisp flesh of this variety roasted in the oven, drizzled with a little olive oil, and topped with fresh goat cheese and oregano.

‘Angel Hair’

A