Their tough, dry skin and hollow structure encourage their use as edible containers; they can be filled with sweet or savory liquids, then baked, and eaten along with their contents Winter squashes can be stored for months and many are available year-round, but they’re at their prime shortly after harvest in late fall They keep best at a temperature around 55ºF/15ºC and in relatively dry conditions (50–70% relative humidity) The Squash Family Asian and African Species Cucumber Cucumis sativus Gherkin Cucumis anguria Melons: cantaloupe, honeydew, Cucumis etc melo Watermelon Citrullus lanatus Winter/fuzzy melon, wax Benincasa gourd hispida Luffa, ridged gourd Luffa acutangula Bottle gourd, cucuzza, Lagenaria calabash siceraria Bitter gourd, bitter Momordica melon charantia South and North American Species Summer and acorn squash, Cucurbita zucchini, pumpkin, spaghetti pepo squash Winter squash: butternut, Cucurbita cheese, kabocha moschata Winter squash: Hubbard, turban, Cucurbita banana, kabocha maxima Cushaw Cucurbita mixta Chayote, mirliton Sechium edule Summer Squashes Summer squashes have been bred into a delightful variety of shapes ... Bottle gourd, cucuzza, Lagenaria calabash siceraria Bitter gourd, bitter Momordica melon charantia South and North American Species Summer and acorn squash, Cucurbita zucchini, pumpkin, spaghetti pepo squash... banana, kabocha maxima Cushaw Cucurbita mixta Chayote, mirliton Sechium edule Summer Squashes Summer squashes have been bred into a delightful variety of shapes