Does Yellow Squash Go Bad?

Yellow squash is a popular vegetable from the gourd family. It Is rich in vitamins and has many health benefits. Yellow squash is mostly found in the United States and near it, and it is harvested from September to December. The second name of yellow squash is summer squash, and it is a type of green vegetable. The taste of yellow squash is similar to that of zucchini’s, and it also contains some seeds inside it.

If you have some yellow squash sitting in your pantry for a long time, you may think yellow squash goes bad before using it. However, like zucchini, yellow squash also has a limited shelf life, and it can spoil. Today we will discuss the preservation, life, and spoilage of yellow squash in this article.

How to Store Yellow Squash?

Storing yellow squash is not a difficult task if you have ever stored any other veggie. The storage condition for almost all the veggies is the same, so you can also store the yellow squash like you store cabbage or zucchini.

But why is storage important for yellow squash? The yellow squash has a short lifetime, and if it is not provided with the best temperature, it will spoil rapidly. So, to make the yellow squash last for a long time, you will have to store it properly. You can follow the storage guidelines for storing yellow squash that we have mentioned below.

Store at room temperature

Room temperature is not effective for the yellow squash at all. But yeah, if you keep them at normal temperature for a long time, they might go bad. You can store the yellow squash for some time in your pantry.

If you think you can use the yellow squash within three to four days, then there is no need to store it in the fridge or any other place. Instead, you can keep it in a cool and dark place for a couple of days. After that, you can store it in the pantry or the kitchen of your home.

Avoid washing

Don’t ever wash the yellow squash before storing it at normal temperature or in the fridge. Once the water interacts with the vegetables, oxidation will speed up, and it is not good for the vegetable, and it will start to degrade. You should only wash the yellow squash when you are thinking of using it; otherwise, keep it as it is.

Store in refrigerator

If you cannot use the yellow squash within three days, don’t store it at room temperature. Instead, you should shift them to the refrigerator, where they will be able to retain their quality for a long time. Also, if you are left with the cut pieces of yellow squash, you should always store them in the fridge. Keep them in the vegetable drawer of your fridge.

Store in an airtight container

If you have some cut pieces of yellow squash, then before storing them in the freezer, transfer them in an airtight container or plastic bags to keep them safe from moisture.

Can You Freeze Yellow Squash?

You can freeze yellow squash, and frozen yellow squash has the longest shelf life. So if you don’t want to use the yellow squash within a month, just simply store it in the cold environments of the freezer, which will extend the shelf-life up to many months.

You can store the yellow squash as a whole in the freezer, and you can also store the cut pieces. However, it will be best for you to cut the yellow squash first into pieces and blanch them. After blanching, transfer the dried pieces into freezer bags and place them in the upper portion of the freezer.

How Long Does Yellow Squash Last?

Yellow squash is a nutritious vegetable, but it has a limited shelf life. It will go bad very quickly if not taken care of. Moreover, its shelf life also depends on the storage conditions. Yellow squash will last for almost three to four days in its best quality at normal temperature.

The refrigerator will help to retain its peak quality for up to a month. In comparison, if you store the yellow squash in the freezer, then its shelf life will extend up to three months at least.

How to Tell If Yellow Squash Is Bad?

If you love to use the yellow squash, you must know everything about it, including its spoilage. You should be able to differentiate between a fresh and spoiled yellow squash so that you avoid using the spoiled one the next time you use it. You should always:

• Check the taste of yellow squash. If it tastes bad, then toss it out.
• Look for the molds on its surface, and if you find any, then throw them away at once.
• Sniff the yellow squash before using it, and if it gives an unpleasant smell, you should discard it at once.

Sources

• Eat Delights
• Does It Go Bad
• Slender Kitchen