[Sadgit]

Howdy.

I harvested a BNS on Tuesday and it is fairly large (a foot long and 5inch wide ish) but I have no idea how I tell if it is ripe. I have had next to no success with them over the last few years and the 2 I had last year just tasted well.. awful.

Cheers
Mark

[flowerpower]

I have always gone on the colour of the squash... don't know if that's right. If it's golden yellow/orange, then I reckon it's ready.
I'd be interested to hear other answers.

[catllar]

I generally go by the colour too - golden yellow, however, my friend gave me 2 recently which are both still a bit greenish. I managed to cut up one of them {even harder than usual) and turned it into a mild  curry with coconut, it tasted great, despite its lack of colour. Today I've roasted the other one and plan to turn it into soup - seems OK, but I guess it's another of those love 'em or loather 'em veggies, and I love 'em.

[realfood]

I would also look at the stalk connecting the squash to the plant. It will become woody and change colour. Expect this to happen in September.

[Sadgit]

Hmm thats for the replies. My wife told me it is yellowy and not green (Iam 100% colour blind so what would I know )
Might try it out in a risotto tomorrow.. Mmmmmmm

[Sadgit]

had a risotto last night and oven roasted the BNS 1st. It was ripe but not sweet. Think this is my last year of growing them as they just aren't as nice as the shop bought ones. Plenty of space for something else next year then

[Noah'strolly]

Plenty of space for something else next year then

My bns hardly take up any space. I plan them in compost bins next to the fence and allow it to ramble. It even took a sideways climb onto the cage I'd made for the brassicas and off over the top it went!