Winter squash abounds this year, and now is the time to start thinking about bringing some of that local bounty home to enjoy during the barren months ahead. Squash should be kept at temperatures between 50 and 55 degrees; the surface must remain dry, and it shouldn’t be kept next to apples or pears, which release ethylene gas that shortens the storage life of squash. Acorn squash will keep one to two months, butternut two to three months, and giant blue Hubbards will last from three to six months. The easiest way to keep squash through the winter? “Cook it and freeze it,” advises Wendell Willard.
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road
Some varieties of apples still available for PYO; check the website. Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Macoun, Cortland, Gala, Red and Golden Delicious, Empire, Northern Spy, Cameo, and Mutsu apples, Bosc and Bartlett pears in the store. Brookdale Fruit Farm’s sweet corn, green peppers, green beans, butternut squash, pumpkins, and gourds in the store.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road
PYO is winding down but may continue into next week; call or check the blog on their website. On the stand, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Red and Golden Delicious, Cortland, Empire, Jonagold, and McIntosh apples in peck and half-peck bags. Pumpkins and decorative gourds, apple firewood.
Harvard General Store, 1 Still River Road
Apples and pears from Carlson Orchards.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Farmstand closed for the season.
Westward Orchards, 178 Mass Ave.
PYO is over for the season. McIntosh, Blondie, Red and Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Empire, Roxbury Russet, Macoun, Fuji, and Cortland apples available in the store. Also in the store are pears, plums, tomatoes, peppers, parsley, cabbage, winter squash, kale, gourds, and pumpkins. Wagon rides to PYO pumpkins continue this weekend, 11-4.
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road
Red Norland, Kennebec, and Green Mountain potatoes, winter squash, gourds, and Indian corn. Sadly, sweet corn is over because of below-freezing temperatures this week.
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted. Brookdale Fruit Farm is in Hollis, NH. Squash storage information source: Oregon State University Extension Service.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil
