More of our farmstands are starting to carry Blue Hubbard winter squash, but many of us might be intimidated by its size. Luckily, tips on how to break through the tough skin of this giant vegetable abound on the internet. While some advocate sharp objects, such as meat cleavers and hatchets, others swear by putting the squash in a large plastic bag and dropping it from a height onto a hard surface. These techniques each have their nuances, such as using a chef’s knife and a mallet to pound the knife through the squash or slamming the vegetable on the ground. Sledgehammers are also mentioned. It can also be baked whole if it fits in your oven, but to make sure it doesn’t explode, it needs to be vented. This is not a job for a fork; experts recommend a screwdriver and a hammer. While tackling the Blue Hubbard squash might require a trip to the hardware store and some elbow grease, the results are worth it. The squash has a sweet, nutty flavor, and it can be frozen as raw or cooked cubes, or even as puree, for months.
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road
Pick-your-own Cortland, McIntosh, Royal Gala, Macoun, Empire, Northern Spy, and Golden Delicious apples. Check the Facebook page for updates. All the apples that are available for picking are also sold in the store, as is Brookdale Fruit Farm’s corn, tomatoes (including organic cherry tomatoes), red and green peppers, and winter squash, including Acorn, Butternut, Delicata, and Blue Hubbard. Pumpkins of all sizes, gourds, and Indian corn. Local mums, and Montauk daisies also available. Store is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pick-your-own hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. www.carlsonorchards.com
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road
Pick-your-own Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Cortland, Ruby Mac, McIntosh, Golden Supreme, and some Macoun apples. At the stand, all the apple varieties being picked, Doe’s honey, pumpkins, and gourds. Peaches are gone. More varieties of apples are coming soon; check Facebook or Doe’s website for updates. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.doeorchards.com
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Pick-your-own rasprries this weekend, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but no pick-your-own apples. Fresh-pressed cider, Asian pears, tomatoes, eggplants, melons, squash, garlic, eggs, and Frog Pond’s raspberry and blueberry jam at the self-serve stand. All produce is certified organic. www.oldfrogpondfarm.com
Westward Orchards, 178 Massachusetts Avenue
Pick-your-own Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Golden Delicious, and Macoun apples. In the store, nectarines and yellow peaches, all the apple varieties being picked as well as Ginger Gold and Honeycrisp, and Bartlett, Bosc, and Seckel pears. Tomatoes (regular, heirloom, and cherry), potatoes, lettuce, kale, collard greens, eggplant, Japanese eggplant, broccoli, winter squash, leeks, mixed-color peppers, beets, herbs, and fresh-cut flowers. Store is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., picking till 4 p.m. daily. Wagon rides to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch on weekends only, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; already-picked pumpkins available in front of the store. www.westwardorchards.com
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road
Providence bicolor corn, tomatoes (although they are dwindling), Acorn, Buttercup, Butternut, Carnival, Delicata, Red Kuri, and Blue Hubbard squash, and pumpkins of all sizes, as well as white Polar Bear and Ghost pumpkins at the self-serve farmstand. www.facebook.com/Willard-Farm
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted.
Brookdale Fruit Farm is in Hollis, New Hampshire.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil
