Calabaza Squash

Discover the rich, sweet flavor of calabaza squash, a beloved winter squash that brings vibrant orange color and exceptional versatility to your kitchen. Also known as Cuban pumpkin or West Indian pumpkin, calabaza is a cornerstone ingredient in Latin American, Caribbean, and Cuban cuisine, prized for its naturally sweet taste and creamy texture when cooked. This large, round squash features a hard, mottled green exterior that protects the bright orange flesh inside. Calabaza offers a flavor profile similar to butternut squash but with a slightly sweeter, more tropical taste and a smooth, dense texture that holds up beautifully in both savory and sweet preparations. The flesh becomes tender and almost custard-like when roasted, making it perfect for soups, stews, and purees. In Caribbean cooking, calabaza is essential for traditional dishes like sancocho, a hearty stew, while Cuban cuisine features it in potajes and as a side dish simply seasoned with garlic and onions. For cooking, calabaza can be roasted, steamed, boiled, or even grilled. Try roasting chunks with olive oil and spices for a caramelized side dish, or puree the cooked flesh for creamy soups and sauces. It pairs wonderfully with warm spices like cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and complements ingredients like black beans, rice, plantains, and coconut milk. Calabaza also works beautifully in baked goods, adding natural sweetness and moisture to breads, muffins, and even flan. Store whole calabaza in a cool, dry place where it will keep for several weeks.