Each fall, I look forward to the arrival of all the different seed company catalogs. With each passing year, the diversity of summer squash variety seeds in gardening catalogs seems to expand.
Zigzag and summer squash are two of our most popular foods at the farmers’ market. They are a sure sign that summer has arrived. Whether you need to grow in containers because of limited space or have an acre to work with, you can add something new to your list of summer crops.
Have you thought about your garden plans for next year yet? I don’t think so! Let’s look at some of our favorite summer squash and zucchini varieties that you can grow next year.
It is easy to spot because it has a thin neck and a round bottom that looks like a goose. The yellow crookneck squash is thought to be one of the oldest types of squash still grown today. They date all the way back to Colonial America!.
The texture of these squash can be bumpy or smooth. They tend to be a bit thicker-skinned and waxier than standard yellow summer squash.
This is a classic-looking bumpy crookneck summer squash and a gardening favorite. It takes the “Yellow Crookneck” variety a little longer than others to start fruiting, but once it does, the harvest lasts for a long time. These should be harvested when they are about 4-6 inches long. Any longer and you risk the skin getting tough.
This squash is definitely unique in its appearance. The long, thin fruits are about ⅔ pale yellow with light white stripes and about ⅓ pale green at the blossom end. The coloring may vary if the plant is under extreme stress such as prolonged drought conditions.
Take extra care when harvesting this variety as it is very thin-skinned. This means it can bruise and puncture easily.
When picked early, they make great baby squash that fits in a pint and looks great on a farmers’ market table. They are perfect for a quick side dish grilled or roasted.
Chefs favor ‘Tempest’ squash for its bright color and versatility. It holds up well to all different ways of cooking and the flavor is exceptional. Try it grilled with just a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
The fruit is a medium yellow with a bulbous body. It is a breeze to harvest as the plant has an open growing habit with soft-ish spines. This variety may take a bit longer to start producing but it’s worth the wait.
The texture of these pretty pale yellow squash makes them pretty enough to leave out on the counter as a decoration. They grow very openly, which makes them easy to pick.
This yellow squash from Johnny’s Selected Seeds grows straight up, which makes it perfect for people who can only grow plants in containers because they don’t have a lot of room.
As a passionate home cook and gardener, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting varieties of fruits and vegetables to try Lately, I’ve become fascinated with the diverse world of squash. While most people are familiar with common green zucchini, there are actually many types of yellow summer squash that make for delicious additions to recipes
In this article, I’ll introduce you to 10 of the most popular varieties of yellow squash and provide pictures so you can easily identify them Whether you’re shopping at the farmer’s market or growing squash in your own garden, keep an eye out for these tasty and nutrient-dense yellow varieties!
1. Zucchini
Let’s start with the most well-known yellow summer squash – zucchini. While we’re used to seeing green zucchini at the grocery store, golden zucchini is a tasty yellow-skinned variety. The flavor is similar to green zucchini – mild, nutty, and slightly sweet.
Golden zucchini can be used in any recipe that calls for traditional zucchini. It has a especially beautiful bright color that livens up dishes like ratatouille, zucchini noodles, or quick zucchini fries. I also love to grill or roast golden zucchini as the high heat brings out its natural sugars.
![Golden zucchini on a wood table][]
2. Yellow Crookneck Squash
Crookneck squash are probably the most common variety of yellow summer squash you’ll find. As the name implies, they have a signature curved, crooked neck. The bulb at the bottom can be round or tear-drop shaped.
Yellow crookneck squash has bumpy, golden skin that is edible. The flesh inside is tender and has a sweet, nutty flavor similar to zucchini. This type of squash is perfect for sautéeing, baking, grilling, and incorporating into breads and muffins.![Whole yellow crookneck squash][]
3. Straightneck Squash
Straightneck squash are closely related to crookneck but without the signature curve at the stem end. They have an oblong, cylindrical shape with smooth yellow skin and pale yellow flesh.
The flavor of straightneck squash is mild, a bit sweeter, and less nutty than crookneck varieties. Both are great substitutions for each other in recipes. Straightneck squash is perfect for grilling, roasting, slicing into fritters, or using in stir fries.![Yellow straightneck squash slices][]
4. Patty Pan Squash
Patty pan squash, also called scallop squash, are one of the most unique and beautiful yellow varieties. They are round in shape with scalloped edges, resembling a small pan. Skin color ranges from pale yellow to deep green.
These petite squash have tender flesh and a delicate, sweet flavor. They hold their shape well when cooked, making them perfect for stuffing, baking, grilling, or sautéing. Patty pan squash also make a lovely edible bowl for serving dips and other appetizers. ![Three patty pan squash on a wood table][]
5. Yellow Summer Squash
Yellow summer squash are one of the most common varieties found at grocery stores. They have bright yellow, smooth skin and a straight, cylindrical shape similar to zucchini. The stem end may be slightly bulbous.
This type of squash has creamy white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor. It can be used in any recipe that calls for zucchini or other summer squash. Try it grilled, roasted, sautéed, baked into breads, or spiralized into low-carb noodles.![Yellow summer squash slices with blossom][]
6. Costata Romanesco Squash
Costata Romanesco squash have distinctive, bright yellow skin with grooved ridges running vertically down the length. Shapes can be oblong, round, or cylindrical.
This heirloom Italian variety has dense, nutty flesh. It holds its shape well when cooked, so works nicely baked, grilled, or pan-fried. Costata Romanesco has a longer growing season, so you may find it appears later at farmers markets.![Whole yellow costata romanesco summer squash][]
7. Eight Ball Squash
Eight ball squash are small, round summer squash. They resemble their namesake pool ball with their solid green skins covering firm, white flesh.
Eight balls squash are perfect single-serving sizes with mild, sweet flavor. Their smooth shape and small size make them ideal for stuffing and baking as edible cups. They can also be sautéed, roasted, pickled, or incorporated into squash salads.![Green eight ball squash sliced open][]
8. Sunburst Squash
Sunburst squash are aptly named with their bright yellow, wedge-shaped skins streaked with pale green. The flesh inside is pale yellow.
This variety has a delicate texture and sweet, nutty flavor. It’s delicious pan-fried, roasted, grilled, or incorporated into soups and casseroles. The striking color also makes it a fun, edible garnish.![Yellow sunburst patty pan summer squash][]
9. Tromboncino Squash
Tromboncino squash are one of the more uniquely shaped yellow varieties. As the name hints, they resemble a trombone with their long, curving necks and bulbous bases.
The skin is pale yellow with faint green stripes. The flesh has a nutty flavor and firm yet tender texture. Tromboncino holds its shape well when cooked, so works great roasted, baked, grilled, or sautéed. It also adds beautiful curves and color to squash salad dishes.![Whole tromboncino squash on a wood table][]
10. Yellow Crookneck Striped Squash
This variety is very similar to traditional crookneck squash but with bold stripes in shades of green and white. The stripes fade as the squash ripens.
Aside from the unique appearance, yellow crookneck striped squash has the same great flavor and texture perfect for any yellow squash recipe. Try this striped variety baked, grilled, roasted, or sautéed to brighten up dinner plates.![Yellow crookneck striped summer squash][]
Zucchini or Courgette Varieties
Zucchini is thought to have come from the Americas, which are now Mexico and South America. It was brought to Europe to be grown after the Americas were colonized. They are thought to have returned to America by way of Italian immigrants in the 1920s.
Zucchini, technically a summer squash, has become a commonly grown summer crop among home gardeners and farmers alike. They are very versatile in flavor, shape, color, and size. If you let one get a little (or a lot) too big, don’t worry—you can still use it to make zucchini bread or zucchini noodles, and
- Plant Type: Annual
- Plant Size: 1.5-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3-10
- Days to Maturity: 47
‘Dunja’ is an all-around trusted and high-yielding zucchini variety. It is likely that seeds will germinate quickly and plants will do well overall, even if there is a drought.
When harvested regularly, the fruit should remain pretty consistently sized. You can harvest smaller for a tender and juicy summer treat.
Pro Tip: Plants are very prickly so wearing long-sleeves and pants will help keep your skin safe. You can also plant them a little further apart than recommended for easier harvesting.
- Plant Type: Annual
- Plant Size: 1-1.5 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3-10
- Days to Maturity: 45
Another really great zucchini option is ‘Green Machine’. These fruits grow very uniformly and are a gorgeous dark green with a tiny bit of white flecking. Its open-growing habit is beneficial for harvesting, helping to keep fruits unscathed by spines.
This organic option is resistant to many of the heavy hitter squash viruses. It can also start to mature just a few days earlier than some others.
- Plant Type: Annual
- Plant Size: 1.5-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3-9
- Days to Maturity: 43
Leave this zucchini on your neighbors’ doorstep and they won’t mind! It’s a deep green color with golden spots that makes it a clear summer beauty.
The plants bear fruit early, heavily all summer and into fall, and don’t have spines. The fruits should be picked when they are 8 to 9 inches long. If you are looking for a new zucchini to try next season, let this be the one.
- Plant Type: Annual
- Plant Size: 1.5-2.5 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3-9
- Days to Maturity: 50-55
This zucchini is almost completely bitter, and it does really well in bad conditions, making it a great choice for greenhouse growers and people who live in warmer areas. “Partenon” will keep bearing fruit even when it’s really hot outside! The fruits are medium-dark green with light spots and are about 8 to 9 inches long.
This type of summer squash doesn’t get cucumber beetles, stays strong after being picked, and pollinates itself (hence its name, parthenocarpic). Those characteristics alone should make you want to give this zucchini a try!.
- Plant Type: Annual
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Plant Zone: 3-9
- Days to Maturity: 52
Italian heirloom summer squash that is very pretty. It’s almost gray-green and has long dark green stripes.
Although ‘Costata Romanesco’ is not as high-yielding as hybrids, it has an amazing flavor. Some say this squash has almost a nutty flavor. The ribbing makes for a gorgeous look when sliced into coins for cooking.
‘Costata Romanesco’ is a heavy producer of male flowers, so you will have plenty of this tasty treat all season long if you like to pick, cook, and eat squash blossoms.
Some of the Best Summer Squash Varieties
FAQ
What are different types of yellow squash?
What does crookneck squash look like?
What are the different types of yellow squash?
Yellow squash is one of the popular homegrown vegetables in grocery stores and farmers markets. It’s also versatile, which means you can steam, bake, roast, saute, and puree this vegetable. There are distinct types of squashes. Our guide lists nineteen kinds of yellow squash you can commonly find. 1. Butternut Squash
What is a yellow summer squash?
The most popular variety of yellow summer squash, straightneck squash is very similar to crookneck, but with a more upright posture. The skin of this type of squash is usually smooth and can be solid yellow or striped with cream.
What does a yellow squash look like?
You’ll find yellow squash in two varieties: straight neck (pictured above) and crook neck, which curves at the neck as its name implies. Both varieties have fatter bottoms and taper towards the neck. They have smooth to slightly bumpy, thin skin, and creamy white flesh with larger seeds than many other varieties of summer squash.
Is yellow squash a fruit?
Yellow squash is a fruit and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and the genus Cucurbita. The cucurbits include other vegetables like pumpkins and cucumbers. Yellow squash is also called summer squash because the plant has a short lifespan, usually surviving for about 50 days.
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