Calabaza

SNAPSHOT

Description: Calabaza, also known as the West Indian Pumpkin, is a type of pumpkin-like squash with:

  • Round, spherical or pear shapes
  • Variety of sizes
  • Green to orange colors
  • Solid, striped or speckled appearance
    Calabaza is usually baked, either cut in sections or cubes. Calabaza may be substituted in recipes calling for squash. Roast its seeds like pumpkin seeds. If having trouble opening a calabaza, remove the stem and place the knife or cleaver blade along its length. Gently tap the blade with a hammer until the calabaza falls open.

Taste: The Calabaza’s flesh is orange, firm and moist with a taste similar to butternut or acorn squash. Use it to enhance the texture and flavor of soups, salads, sauces, and breads. Calabaza soup can’t be beat.

Selection:

Brooks Tropicals grows a calabaza variety that has a round oblong shape for easy cutting. Select a calabaza that feels heavy for its size and has the stem firmly attached.

You may find them in your grocery store whole or cut into wedges.

Select slices or pieces with unblemished bright orange flesh. Select whole calabazas that are smooth and hard, heavy in comparison to its size. The stem should be attached and solid.

Ripening: Picked ready to enjoy

Storage: Keep calabaza in a cool dry area before slicing open. Once open, store in airtight containers or bags in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Calabaza can be frozen up to a year.

Season: All year

Brooks Origin: Central America

Nutritional Info

This hybrid between a pumpkin and squash is a nutritional powerhouse that’s high in vitamins A and C and potassium. Its beautiful reddish-orange interior means calabaza also contains lutein, beta-carotene, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin, all of which act as antioxidants in the body.

Calabaza has half the starch of potatoes and only 35 calories per cup. Potatoes need a lot of butter to enjoy, but this is not true of calabaza. It’s a great-tasting menu choice for healthy-minded cooks.

  • Serving 1 cup (170g)
  • Calories 35
  • Calories from Fat 0
  • Total Fat 0.0g
  • Saturated Fat 0g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 0.0g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Total Carbohydrates 8g
  • Dietary Fiber 1g
  • Potassium 246mg
  • Sugars 2g
  • Protein 1g
  • Vitamin C 15mg
Calabaza by the slice
Calabaza by the slice

For our retailers and wholesalers

Ripening: Not necessary.

Ethylene Production: None

Ethylene Sensitivity: None

Shelf Life: Can be kept for up to a month. Once cut, however, may be kept refrigerated for one week.

Storage Temperature: 50° – 55°F

Storage Humidity: 50% – 70%