Photo: Anna Shvets

Why does my squash taste like chemicals?

Cucurbits contain a group of chemicals called cucubitacins. It is these cucurbitacins that are responsible for squash that is bitter tasting. The higher the levels of cucubitacin, the more bitter the squash will taste.

gardeningknowhow.com - My Squash Tastes Bad - What Causes Bitter Squash - Gardening Know How

What hormones cause a big belly?

Many women also notice an increase in belly fat as they get older — even if they aren't gaining weight. This is likely due to a decreasing level of...

Last updated Jan 29, 2018

What can you drink on the egg diet?

The boiled egg diet consists mostly of eggs, lean proteins, and low carb fruits and vegetables. Calorie-free beverages are also permitted,...

Last updated Jun 26, 2020

Promotion

Squash, especially zucchini, is a popular garden veggie loved by many. But have you ever had squash that’s bitter tasting and, if so, is bitter squash edible? This article will help with that, as well as what causes bitter squash. I just planted six zucchini plants and I am well aware that I will be giving it away to strangers on the street, just to use it all. Hopefully, with my tender loving care, I won’t end up with squash that tastes bad. Read on to find out what causes bitter squash.

My Squash is Bitter Tasting

Actually, a bitter squash taste is a common problem found in zucchini as well as in cucumber. Both of these veggies are members of the Cucurbit family along with gourds, melons, pumpkins and other types of squash. Cucurbits contain a group of chemicals called cucubitacins. It is these cucurbitacins that are responsible for squash that is bitter tasting. The higher the levels of cucubitacin, the more bitter the squash will taste. The most likely cause for a bitter taste in squash is due to an environmental stress of some sort, most likely a wide temperature flux or irregular irrigation. Either of these will create an excess of cucurbitacins to concentrate in the fruit. Extreme cold, heat, drought or too much irrigation, or even a lack of plant nutrients, excessive pest infestation or disease can all create these elevated levels of cucurbitacin in the squash resulting in a bitter flavor. One other possible reason that your squash is bitter involves genetics and is especially true with regard to summer squash. Squash, as well as cucumber relatives, are basically weeds and easily cross pollinate with our garden domestic varieties. Saving seed can increase the likelihood of a potential cross pollination and resulting bitter flavor. It can also occur with purchased seed that may have been cross pollinated with wild cucurbits. Obviously, there would be no benefit to trying to solve a stressor to resolve the problem, as the bitterness is bred into the plant. In wild cucurbits, the bitterness is a blessing. Many insects find the bitter flavor as repellent as we do and are, thus, less likely to snack on the plant.

Is Bitter Squash Edible?

If you can accurately identify the stress and correct it, you may be able to salvage the harvest. However, if the squash tastes bad and is extremely bitter already, you may want to pull it out and discard it, starting over the following year. As to the edibility of bitter squash, eating them won’t likely kill you, although if the levels of cucurbitacin are really high, you may wish they had. Very bitter squash with a high level of this compound will cause severe stomach cramps and diarrhea which can last for several days. Only in extreme or rare cases has this led to death. It is fairly likely that you would not even entertain the notion of ingesting very bitter squash simply because of the nasty flavor. That said, to err on the side of caution, it may be best to simply toss out any extremely bitter tasting fruits. You may, however, decide you want to use mildly bitter squash, which is okay. It helps to know that the bitter compound is more concentrated in the stem rather than in the blossom end of the squash. To reduce the bitter flavor, peel the squash, beginning at the blossom end, and discard a couple of inches of it at the stem end.

What is the absolute fastest way to lose weight?

The 14 Best Ways to Burn Fat Fast START STRENGTH TRAINING. ... FOLLOW A HIGH-PROTEIN DIET. ... SQUEEZE IN MORE SLEEP. ... ADD VINEGAR TO YOUR DIET....

Last updated Nov 10, 2020

How long does it take to notice a difference when doing keto?

10 to 21 days Final thoughts on keto and weight loss Generally, you'll need to adhere to a caloric deficit of around 500 calories per day. At this...

Last updated Apr 17, 2020

Promotion

What foods can you eat endlessly and not gain weight?

Examples include tomatoes, kale, grapefruit, celery, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and strawberries. They're mostly made up of water. They're low in calories. They contain fiber, which helps make you feel and stay full.

businessinsider.com - Low-Calorie Foods You Can Eat and Not Gain Weight - Business Insider

The INSIDER Summary:

Certain non-starchy fruits and vegetables won't cause you to gain weight no matter how much of them you eat. This is because they're mostly made up of water, they're low in calories, and they have fiber which helps keep you full.

Examples include tomatoes, kale, grapefruit, celery, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and strawberries.

While there's no such thing as a zero-calorie food, there are foods you can enjoy freely without having to worry about packing on the pounds. According to nutritionist Dr. Lisa Young, these foods generally fall into one of two categories: non-starchy fruits or vegetables. Young says there are few reasons why you won't gain weight from eating these foods:

They're mostly made up of water.

They're low in calories.

They contain fiber, which helps make you feel and stay full.

Although these fruits and vegetables aren't high in protein, they're packed with plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that have numerous benefits for your health. It's important to note that, just like with any other food, if you eat too much of these foods, you will gain weight. But for the reasons listed above, it's unlikely that you'll overindulge in these specific items.

Keep scrolling to 14 foods you can eat without restraint.

What can I eat that won't knock me out of ketosis?

10 Keto-Friendly Snacks That Were Always Keto Hard-boiled eggs and a handful of almonds. Red pepper strips with guacamole. Celery sticks with...

Last updated Mar 18, 2022

Can you drink wine every night on keto?

Once your liver has finished metabolizing the alcohol, it will go back to producing ketones properly. So while it is recommended that, if you're on...

Last updated Jul 9, 2018

Promotion

Is keto worth doing?

Mayo's verdict: While the ketogenic diet may be recommended for some people with uncontrolled epilepsy, the high fat content — and especially the...

Last updated Jun 30, 2022

Promotion

What happens if you eat too much protein but low calories?

It is possible to each too much protein — if more than 35% of your daily calories come from protein, you might experience side effects. Eating too...

Last updated Nov 7, 2021