Questions about squash

[Chanda]

In some of Alissa's recipes she calls for certain kinds of squash. When I went to the store they didn't have those types of squash so I got a few different kinds.

Will it make a huge difference in a recipe if I use a different squash than what is called for?

Also, since I have never purchased squash, how do you know if it is ripe? Do squash even get ripe? I tried cutting into one and it was so hard that I though maybe it ws too soon!

Thanks,
Chanda

[juliebove]

There are summer squash and winter squash. Winter squash can be really tough to cut. I've had some that I couldn't even cut with a saw. I tried a spaghetti squash once and the directions had me boil it before cutting into it. It was still really tough to cut. I think summer squash are pretty much interchangeable. Winter squash may or may not be. The sugar content and the flavor of winter squash really varies.