Identifying a Volunteer Squash: Cross-Pollination and Harvest Tips

Introduction

A mystery squash with green/gold/green bands is likely a cross from last year's garden.

Likely Squash Crosses

Could be 'Hasta la Pasta' spaghetti squash or a zucchini × winter squash cross. Volunteers often result from cross-pollination.

Testing by Cooking

Bake a fruit: stringy = spaghetti type; smooth = acorn/butternut type. Both are edible.

Harvest Timing for Winter Squash

Pick when stem is brown, shriveled, and skin resists fingernail. For fresh eating, pick earlier. Always harvest before frost.

Conclusion

Enjoy the volunteer crop—test one by cooking, and harvest the rest at proper maturity.