Winter squash originated in Central America thousands of years ago and was a staple for Native Americans in Massachusetts and the European settlers that arrived here. Varieties at our local farmstands abound, but one of the more common, butternut squash, is a relative newcomer with surprisingly local roots.
Butternut squash was first bred in the 1940s in neighboring Stow by Charles Leggett, who crossed a gooseneck squash with other varieties, hoping to create a smaller, more manageable product for shipping and cooking. He called the squash “butternut” for its smooth texture and “sweet as a nut” flavor. Leggett brought his invention to Waltham Field Station, an agricultural research center owned by the University of Massachusetts. They marketed it as the “Waltham Butternut Squash,” probably much to the chagrin of Leggett. But the Stow connection lives on. Leggett’s farm is now the site of the Butternut Farm Golf Club, which boasts “the longest hole in the country without a sand trap.” But watch out for that squash trap.
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, 978-456-3916
Pick-your-own McIntosh, Macoun, Cortland, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Northern Spy apples, as well as cut-your-own flowers. Check Facebook for daily updates. Available in the store are McIntosh, Macoun, Cortland, Gala, Ginger Gold, Empire, and Honeycrisp apples, as well as Carlson’s apple cider (regular, Honeycrisp, and Gala), and flower bouquets. Also in the store are corn, butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash; zucchini, and green peppers from Brookdale Fruit Farm in Hollis, New Hampshire.
Store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; pick-your-own is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road, 978-772-4139
Pick-your-own Macoun, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gala, and Cortland apples. At the stand are all the pick-your-own varieties along with Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and three heirlooms, Wickson Crab, Roxbury Russet, and Hubbardston Nonesuch. Gourds and pumpkins are also available at the stand, along with Box Mill Farm’s apple cider (with Doe’s apples in the mix).
Stand and pick-your-own are open this Monday (Oct. 13, Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day) and Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays except holidays.
Good Spirits Farm, 106 East Bare Hill Road
At the self-service farmstand (and adjacent shed) this week: late-season raspberries, blackberries, (no-spray) Redfield cider apples, Kieffer pears, winter squash, including acorn, butternut, delicata, and honeynut. Also: tomatoes, zucchini, Russian, Scotch, and Italian Lacinato kale; spinach; pattypan and crookneck squash. Also the farm’s own honey, jams, teas made with the farm’s dried herbs and wildflowers, lip balm, and hand cream. Fresh Chip-In Farm eggs in the fridge. Also fresh flower bouquets with dahlias and zinnias.
Self-serve stand is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Pick-your-own raspberries; pick-your-own apples is closed for the season. Available at the self-service stand on the front porch are the farm’s tomatoes and peppers, along with the farm’s own fresh-pressed, unpasteurized apple cider, honey, raspberry, rhubarb, blueberry, and plum jams, herbal teas, and calendula oil.
The farmstand is open daily. Pick-your-own raspberries and the outdoor sculpture exhibit (the last weekend) are open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Westward Orchards, 178 Massachusetts Avenue, 978-456-8363
Pick-your-own apples; recommended varieties to pick are Empire, Macoun, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, McIntosh, and Cortland. Wagon rides to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch run on weekends.
Available in the store: Empire, Baldwin, Macoun, Honeycrisp, Jonaprince, Red Jonathan, Gala, Roxbury Russet, Golden Russet, Golden Delicious, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, and Cortland apples; Bosc, Asian, and Bartlett pears; and strawberries. Also Westward’s own tomatoes (including heirloom and cherry), lettuce, kale, winter squash, peppers, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, beets, cabbage, carrots, mixed potatoes, mixed herbs, and apple cider from Bolton Orchards.
Store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; pick-your-own apples is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Wagon rides to pick-your-own pumpkins (weekends only), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road, 978-456-8291
From Cucurbit Farm in Acton: corn, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green and yellow peppers, Yukon gold potatoes, yellow and red onions, zucchini, shallots, garlic, winter squash (including butternut, honeynut, and delicata), pumpkins, mini pumpkins, sugar pumpkins, birdhouse gourds, and flowers. Box Mill Farm’s apple cider (made in Ayer using local apples) is in the refrigerator. Willard Farm’s gourds (large and small), white pumpkins, and large “Cinderella” pumpkins are also available.
Self-service stand is open daily.
All produce listed is Harvard grown unless otherwise noted.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil
