Now, do the thump test. Knock on the squash like you’re knocking on a door. You want a hollow, high-pitched sound. A dull thud means it’s still full of water and not ripe.
Imagine it’s a drum. A ripe squash has a crisp, musical note. A green one sounds like a wet cardboard box. Not very tasty.
Fun fact: farmers in Japan use this exact method for watermelons. But squash? Same trick. You’re now an honorary farmhand. Be proud.
The Stem Tells Tales
Check the stem. A ripe squash has a stem that’s woody, dry, and cork-like. If it’s still green and flexible, the squash isn’t ready. That stem spent months drinking up sun and soil—now it’s done its job.
If the stem has snapped off entirely? That’s fine. It just means the squash is fully mature and ready to party. No stem? No problem.
Here’s a wild thought: the stem is basically the squash’s belly button. It’s the last place it was attached to the vine. And like a belly button, it doesn’t lie.
