for some reason these were very slow in bearing fruit this year and have not progressed as usual. I seem to have a multitude of small fruits and I'm not sure if they are ready or even will continue to grow/mature at this late stage. 1. what is the best way to tell if they are ripe? 2. if I pick them is there any way I can get them to ripen off the vine? 3. how is it best to keep/store acorn squash? Many thanks, Philip White Rock
They will harden and ripen in the sun. I would bring them inside before the hard frost, however. I have had them ripen fully during the winter in the basement but they will ripen faster out in the sun, even off the vine, if you have time before the frost hits.
I have picked green (some with orange specks) pumpkins and large zucchini with good results. The pumpkins ripen in about 4 to 6 weeks. The zucchini develops a thick skin and is used for winter baking (stuffed with sausage mix) as well as for chocolate zucchini cake -- (see cooks.com for ideas). Zucchini must be large with a firm skin to do this, but lasts as well as regular squash. I leave them in a cool dry room.
