How To Can Cushaw Squash

You can can cushaw squash easily by peeling, seeding, cubing, and pressure canning the pieces in a simple syrup or water.
 
Cushaw squash is one of those big, beautiful, crookneck winter squashes that grows like crazy in home gardens.
 
If you’ve got more cushaw squash than you know what to do with, canning is a fantastic way to preserve it for soups, pies, and casseroles all year long.
 
When you can cushaw squash, you’re basically locking in that sweet, mild flavor so it stays shelf-stable for months.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to can cushaw squash step by step, from choosing the right squash to processing your jars safely.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

Why Can Cushaw Squash at Home?

You can cushaw squash at home for several great reasons, and once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
 
Here’s why canning cushaw squash is worth the effort:
 

1. It Preserves a Huge Harvest

Cushaw squash vines produce a lot of fruit, and one or two big squash can easily feed a family for weeks.
 
When you can cushaw squash, you can process several pounds at once instead of letting them pile up on your counter.
 
This is especially handy if you grow cushaw squash in your garden and end up with more than you can eat fresh.
 

2. It’s Ready to Use Anytime

Canned cushaw squash is already cooked and soft, so it’s ready to toss into pies, soups, breads, or casseroles.
 
You can can cushaw squash in chunks or as a puree, depending on how you plan to use it.
 
Having jars of cushaw squash on the shelf means you’re never more than a few minutes away from a homemade squash dish.
 

3. It Saves Freezer Space

Freezers fill up fast during harvest season, and cushaw squash takes up a ton of room.
 
When you can cushaw squash instead, you free up your freezer for other things.
 
Plus, canned cushaw squash doesn’t rely on electricity, so it’s a more resilient way to store your harvest.
 

How to Can Cushaw Squash Step by Step

Learning how to can cushaw squash isn’t complicated, but you do need to follow safe canning practices.
 
Cushaw squash is a low-acid food, so it must be processed in a pressure canner, not a water bath canner.
 
Here’s how to can cushaw squash the right way:
 

1. Pick and Prep Your Cushaw Squash

Start with firm, mature cushaw squash that’s free of soft spots or mold.
 
Wash the outside, then cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
 
Peel the skin with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, then cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes.
 

2. Cook the Squash Cubes

You can’t raw-pack cushaw squash because it’s too dense, so you’ll need to cook it first.
 
Boil the cubes in water for about 2 minutes, then pack them into hot, sterilized jars.
 
Leave about 1 inch of headspace, and fill the jars with hot cooking liquid or a light syrup.
 

3. Add Liquid and Remove Air Bubbles

For a light syrup, mix 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
 
You can also can cushaw squash in plain hot water if you want to skip the sugar.
 
Run a plastic spatula around the inside of each jar to release trapped air bubbles, then wipe the rims clean.
 

4. Pressure Can the Jars

Place the lids and rings on the jars and load them into your pressure canner.
 
Process pints for 55 minutes and quarts for 90 minutes at 10 pounds of pressure, adjusting for your altitude.
 
This step is what makes it safe to can cushaw squash at home.
 

5. Cool and Store Your Jars

Once the processing time is up, turn off the heat and let the canner depressurize naturally.
 
Remove the jars and let them cool undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours.
 
Check that each lid sealed properly, then label and store your canned cushaw squash in a cool, dark place.
 

Tips for Canning Cushaw Squash Safely

You can cushaw squash safely as long as you stick to a few important guidelines.
 
Always use a pressure canner for cushaw squash because boiling water isn’t hot enough to kill harmful bacteria.
 
Don’t can mashed or pureed cushaw squash unless a tested recipe says otherwise, since the density affects heat penetration.
 
And always use up-to-date, tested canning instructions from a trusted source.
 

So, Can Cushaw Squash?

Yes, you can cushaw squash at home, and it’s one of the best ways to preserve this versatile winter squash.
 
When you can cushaw squash, you turn a big garden harvest into jars of ready-to-use squash for pies, soups, and more.
 
Just remember to use a pressure canner, follow tested processing times, and store your jars properly.
 
Once you learn how to can cushaw squash, you’ll never let a single one go to waste again.