| I have been VERY successfull at growing your "Lakota Squash". Now all I need is to figure out how to prepare and serve it! Maybe even some tips on how to store it. |
| Lakota is a favorite variety of winter squash, with flesh that is bright orange, fine textured and quite sweet. It's delicious in pies or cut into serving size pieces and baked or steamed. Stored whole in a cool (50 to 60 degrees F) dry area, it will keep several months if mature when harvested and the stem is attached. When bringing them in from the garden, it's a good idea to clean and sponge the fruits with a clorox solution (1 Tablespoon clorox/1 Quart water). It helps reduce possibilities of storage rots. Squashes in storage keep best where circulation is good, the air cool and dry, about 40 to 50 F. The higher the temperature the greater will be the weight loss due to respiration and water loss. At about 45 F., according to research information reported from Cornell University, there is a very slow conversion of starch to sugar and shrinkage is less than 3% a month. Other authorities claim least spoilage at 55 F. |
