Can You Eat Squash Raw?

Kait Hanson
·3 min read

Squash can be eaten raw and cooked, here are the specifics.

Trying to figure out if it's OK to eat raw squash? The first thing you need to do is determine the type of squash you plan to eat.

David Tiner, the director of Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge, has been a chef for more than 30 years. As a certified executive chef, Tiner says the short answer is simple: Yes, you can.

"You can eat raw squash, however, the taste may not be to everyone's liking," Tiner notes. "Squash contains a toxin known as Cucurbitacin E, which can give the squash a bitter taste. If too much of the toxin is consumed it can cause illness. It is rare, but if the squash has a bitter taste, stop eating it, and grab another one."

If you're ready to cut into a squash to eat raw, it's important to consider the type of squash you're about to consume and the best way to enjoy it.



Meet The Expert

David Tiner is the Director of Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge, Louisiana


Chef Francine Marz is the Dean of Culinary & Hospitality at The Culinary Institute of the South




Best Types Of Squash To Eat Raw

Thin-Skinned Squash

There are two main types of squash: summer squash (thin-skinned squash), which includes zucchini and yellow squash, and winter squash (hard-skinned squash), such as pumpkins and butternut squash. Squash has many nutritional benefits and is typically low in starch.

"Zucchini, yellow squash, patty pan — any thin-skinned squash— can be eaten raw," Chef Francine Marz, Dean of Culinary & Hospitality at The Culinary Institute of the South, says.

Worst Types Of Squash To Eat Raw

Hard-Skinned Squash

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous."

Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

It's important to note that while gourds are in the same family as squash, most are grown for decorative purposes and are not edible. But it doesn't mean hard-skinned squash is purely decorative. "The flavor of winter varieties actually improves with cooking," Tiner explains. "The heat will expose the sweetness making them more enjoyable."

How To Store Squash

  • Summer squash, or thin-skinned squash like zucchini and yellow squash, should be stored under refrigeration and consumed within seven days due to loss of quality.

  • Winter squash, such as pumpkins and acorn squash, should be stored around 55°F in a dry area and will last for a couple of months is stored properly.

Our Favorite Ways To Use Raw Squash

There are many ways to enjoy raw squash. "You can use raw squash in salads, as vessels for dipping or appetizers, grated in sauces, pastas or baked casseroles," Marz says. Here are a few of our favorite recipes:

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.