VegetableSquash
Sweet Dumpling Squash
Winter Squash
Sweet Dumpling is a uniquely charming winter squash that lives up to its name with remarkably sweet, smooth orange flesh that tastes remarkably like sweet potato. These small, flattened gems weigh just 7 ounces to 1 pound each, displaying cream-colored skin adorned with dark green stripes that make them as beautiful as they are delicious. Hardy across zones 3-13, this vining cultivar reaches maturity in approximately 95 to 110 days, producing a decent crop of these diminutive delights that store exceptionally well for up to 3 months.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
30 in
Height
—
Width
48 in
Spacing
95–95
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual
TypeVine, Forb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-13
Size
30in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Sweet Dumpling apart is its perfect portion size and exceptional sweetness that rivals the best sweet potatoes. The distinctive ribbed, cream and green striped exterior makes each squash a natural serving bowl, ideal for stuffing with savory ingredients for an eye-catching side dish. Beyond the sweet, smooth flesh, the large yellow blossoms are edible when harvested from male flowers, and even the seeds roast up into nutritious, delicious snacks. This winter squash stores beautifully for months, extending the harvest well into winter when fresh garden produce becomes scarce.
Common Uses
Sweet Dumpling squash excels as both a main dish and side, most commonly stuffed with savory ingredients that complement its sweet potato-like flavor. The small, individual-serving size makes it perfect for elegant presentations where each diner receives their own squash bowl. The orange flesh can be mashed like sweet potatoes, roasted until caramelized, or incorporated into fall soups and stews. The large yellow blossoms offer culinary versatility as well, stuffed and baked or fried, or used as striking garnishes. Even the seeds shouldn't be discarded, as they roast beautifully with salt and spices for a nutritious snack rich in vitamins and minerals.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Late Summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors up to 1 month prior to your last frost date to get a head start on the long growing season required for this 95 to 110 day variety.
Direct Sow
Sow seeds directly in the ground once soil temperature reaches approximately 70 degrees, considering that Sweet Dumpling requires a long frost-free growing season of 95 to 110 days.
Harvesting
Harvest Sweet Dumpling squash when the cream-colored skin with dark green stripes has fully developed and hardened, typically after 95 to 110 days from planting. The small fruits should feel solid and heavy for their size, weighing approximately 7 ounces to 1 pound when mature. Harvest before the first hard frost to ensure proper storage, cutting the stem rather than pulling the fruit from the vine to avoid damage.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucurbita pepo L.
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucurbita
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (NI)PR (I)CAN (W)