White Crookneck Cushaw Winter Squash: A Southern Classic

White Crookneck Cushaw is a traditional heirloom winter squash variety with deep roots in American gardening history. This distinctive squash features a characteristic curved neck and creamy white skin, making it both visually interesting and highly productive in the garden.

Distinctive Features

The White Crookneck Cushaw's most recognizable trait is its elongated body with a pronounced curved neck—a shape that gives the variety its memorable name. The pale, creamy-white skin contrasts beautifully with the golden-orange flesh inside. These substantial fruits typically weigh between eight and twelve pounds, providing generous harvests for cooking and storage.

The flesh is fine-grained, sweet, and slightly fibrous, making it ideal for pies, purees, and soups. The flavor is mild and pleasant, with a subtle sweetness that works well in both savory and sweet preparations.

Growing White Crookneck Cushaw

Plant seeds directly in the garden after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed thoroughly. Space plants three to four feet apart to accommodate their vigorous vine growth. White Crookneck Cushaw thrives in full sun and prefers rich, well-draining soil amended with compost.

These plants are relatively drought-tolerant once established but benefit from consistent watering during fruit development. Provide about one inch of water weekly through rainfall or irrigation. The variety is known for its disease resistance and generally trouble-free growing habits.

Supporting and Harvesting

As fruits develop, they can become quite heavy. Consider using slings or soft supports to prevent vines from breaking under the weight of maturing squash. Harvest when the skin has hardened completely and turned a pale cream color. Cut fruits with several inches of stem attached.

Cure harvested squash in a warm, dry location for one to two weeks to further harden the skin and improve storage longevity.

Storage and Kitchen Use

White Crookneck Cushaw stores exceptionally well when kept in cool conditions between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Properly stored fruits can last four to six months, providing fresh squash well into spring. Roast wedges, puree for soups and breads, or use in traditional pies and desserts. The mild flavor makes it versatile for countless culinary applications.

• The Cushaw plant produces some of the most beautiful white crookneck squash you've ever seen!
  
  
• Curved/crook-neck variety
  
  
• Grows as a vine (not as a bush)
  
• Very sweet and full of flavor - perfect for pies and canning
  
  
• Ideal for any sized garden and easy to grow
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 100 days

Additional Details

Though considered a vegetable in cooking, botanically speaking, squash is a fruit (being the receptacle for the plant's seeds). Squash can be served fresh (in salads) and cooked (squash stuffed with meat, fried squash, baked squash).