Delicata

Delicata is a beloved winter squash of the Cucurbita pepo species, an heirloom introduced in the 1890s and revived in recent decades for its exceptional eating quality. It produces oblong, cream-colored fruits striped with green, sometimes called sweet potato squash or peanut squash. The flesh is deep yellow, sweet, and creamy with a flavor reminiscent of sweet potato, and the thin skin is tender enough to eat once roasted, so it needs no peeling. Best roasted in rings or halves, it is a favorite for fall cooking. Plants are semi-vining. Maturing in about 90 to 100 days, delicata does not store as long as hard-shelled winter squashes and is best used within a couple of months. Its edible skin, rich flavor, and convenient size have made it a modern kitchen favorite.