With so many different types of summer squash, taking a minute to learn about the differences in flavor and texture, and the best way to use them, will help you choose the best type for your needs.Better yet, grow a few varieties and mix things up with beautiful harvests all summer long.
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (1) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (1)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/How-to-grow-summer-squash-25.png.webp)
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See mydisclosure policyfor more information.
8 best types of summer squash to grow and eat
In this article, I share my 8 favorite types of summer squash that I like growing in my own garden. Zucchini and yellow crookneck squash are the most common, but hopefully after reading this article you will find a new type to try in your garden this summer.
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (2) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (2)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/How-to-grow-summer-squash-16.png.webp)
Don’t forget, summer squash is best when harvested young and the skin is soft and tender. Summer squash should be consumed within a week or two of harvest and should be kept refrigerated.
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (3) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (3)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/How-to-grow-summer-squash-21.png.webp)
Want more tips for growing and harvesting squash? This article shares 5 tips for growing summer squash.
Black beauty zucchini
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (4) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (4)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-15-1.png.webp)
Black beauty zucchini is easy to grow, productive, and an early producer with glossy dark-green fruit and creamy white flesh.
Flavor and texture:Mild flavor; best when harvested young and seeds are small. Firm texture freezes well.
Best for:Salads, soups, makes great zucchini noodles (also known as ‘zoodles’), and grated in baked goods. Very versatile and mild.
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (5) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (5)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Zucchini-Lemon-Poppy-Seed-Bread-7-1024x536.png.webp)
Zucchini Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is a family favorite. Surplus zucchini is not a problem when you have this recipe.
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (6) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (6)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/How-to-grow-summer-squash-28.png.webp)
Looking for zucchini recipes? We love using extra zucchini in Carla’s Calabacitas.
Cube of butter squash
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (7) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (7)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-13-1.png.webp)
Cube of butter squashis an excellent producer on a small plant. Can be picked any size from small to large.
Flavor and texture: Buttery flavor with creamy white flesh; good flavor raw or cooked. Tender – holds it shape well when cooked.
Best for: Fresh eating, in stir-fries, or roasted on the grill.
Lebanese squash
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (8) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (8)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Summer-Squash-Varieties-8-Best-Types-to-Grow.png.webp)
Lebanese squash (often called Koosa or Dirani) is a versatile, Middle Eastern favorite. It is a heavy producer on a compact plant with continuous production.
Flavor and texture:Mild, white creamy flavor. Firm texture.
Best for: Harvest small to use fresh, or let it grow larger to use in dozens of recipes, including stuffed. Use in any recipe that calls for zucchini.
Baby round zucchini
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (9) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (9)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Summer-Squash-Varieties-8-Best-Types-to-Grow-1.png.webp)
Baby round zucchini(also known as ‘Ronde de Nice’) is a prolific producer and easy to grow with only 45 days to harvest.
Flavor and texture:Mellow, sweet flavor. Tender texture.
Best for: Use as an individual serving bowl – especially suited for stuffing or roasting. The blossoms are delicious.
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (10) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (10)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-24-1.png.webp)
Yellow crookneck squash
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (11) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (11)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Summer-Squash-Varieties-8-Best-Types-to-Grow-2.png.webp)
Yellow crookneck squash is a bush-type plant that is prolific and easy to grow. Harvest while skins are soft. Pick often for best flavor and continual production.
Flavor and texture:Flavorful and firm fleshed.
Best for:Any type of eating – delicious steamed, fried, or roasted.
Costata Romanesco
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (12) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (12)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-22-1.png.webp)
Costata Romanesco is an Italian ribbed semi-vining heirloom with large leaves and about half the production of other plants. Harvest fruits up to 18 inches long. In Italy, they are picked at 4-5 inches long when blossoms are still attached.
Flavor and texture:Nutty, complex flavor and firm texture with distinctive ribs.
Best for: Delicious raw or cooked. Good producer of blossoms for soups, salads, and pastas. Often fried whole with flower still attached.
Grey zucchini
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (13) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (13)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-25-1.png.webp)
Grey zucchini(also called harukan or calabacita squash)is a staple of Mexican and Latin diets. A heavy producer, the grey-green fruit is best when harvested at 6 inches. The fruit stores well.
Flavor and texture:Mild flavor with firm flesh.
Best for:Any type of recipe – baked, roasted, fried. Delicious in Carla’s Calabacitas(a family favorite recipe).
Patty-pan squash
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (14) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (14)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/How-to-grow-summer-squash-26.png.webp)
Patty-pan squash is best harvested at 2-3 inches in diameter for tender skin and flesh. Plants yield a high amount of fruit.
Flavor and texture: Buttery, nutty flavor is considered by some to be the best tasting of all summer squash. Firm texture holds up to high heat.
Best for: Enjoy them fresh, stuffed, baked, fried, steamed, or stir-fried.
Here’s a bonus type: The gourd luffa (loofah)
Althoughluffais often grown as a sponge, if harvested when it is less than 6 inches long it is edible and similar in taste and texture to summer squash. Once it is longer than 6 inches, the insides become fibrous, and it is too tough to eat.
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (15) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (15)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-16-1.png.webp)
Flavor and texture: Mild flavor and firm texture.
Best for:Roasting and in stir-fry.
Interested in growing luffa as a sponge? This article tells you how.
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (16) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (16)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-5-1.png.webp)
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (17) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (17)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-3-1.png.webp)
![Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (18) Summer Squash Varieties - 8 Best Types to Grow (18)](https://i0.wp.com/growinginthegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Summer-squash-varieties-8-types-to-grow-and-enjoy-2-1.png.webp)