Description

 

As a member of the winter squash family, hubbard squash is technically a fruit and not a vegetable, however it’s treated more like a veggie. It’s a warm-season annual crop that grows on vines and trails along the ground or climbs up structures.

It’s typically harvested in the autumn and can remain fresh and edible for many months through the fall and winter even without refrigeration.

Hubbards are thought to be native to Central and South America. Today they are often used ornamentally during the fall for Halloween and Thanksgiving decorating.

While it’s similar to butternut squash in terms of nutrition content and uses, butternut squash is another species of winter squash with different characteristics. You can basically substitute one for the other in most recipes or use them in place of cooked pumpkin or sweet potatoes.

Hubbard squash nutrition benefits include its high supply of vitamins A (beta-carotene), B6, C and E, as well as magnesium, potassium and manganese.

It’s also low in both calories and fat, yet provides natural carbohydrates, fiber and some sugars.