20 Incredible Squash Varieties

Squash is a staple of summer home gardens across the country for good reason: Squash is easy to grow and tastes great grilled, baked, roasted, boiled and in soups. Check out these recipes that incorporate several squash varieties into tasty dishes. You can even add squash blossoms to the menu.

The many varieties of squash are separated into two basic groups — summer and winter. Summer squash, which includes zucchini, are best harvested when immature and don't store well. Winter squash however, have hard, thick rinds that make them easy to store for long periods of time in cool, dry conditions. That means you can enjoy the flavor of winter squash well into winter without having to preserve them. Winter squash can even be used to add seasonal color to your fall table setting.

'Little Dipper' squash, pictured, is a butternut winter squash popular for its nutty, sweet flavor. It's small enough to use for individual servings. The lightbulb-shaped fruits grow to about 2 pounds each and store well for a long time.

Browse pictures of squash and get to know 19 more squash varieties — both winter and summer. Plus, find tips on how to use these nutritional powerhouses.

Zucchini is a summer squash that, left on the vine, can grow to more than three feet long, but for cooking it's usually harvested at 1/4 that size or smaller. It is used as a vegetable for savory side dishes. Zucchini bread, of course, is a big favorite.

Butternut squash is known for its sweet, nutty taste. This winter squash produces medium-sized fruits with beige skin and orange flesh, and needs a lot of room to grow.

Yellow squash includes a smooth-skinned, straightneck variety and a crookneck variety that is known for its curved neck and "lumpy" skin. Yellow squash is a vigorous grower and homeowners often only need a few plants to produce enough for their summer meals.