13 Types of Yellow Squash (With Photos) (2024)

Looking for a vibrant and unique squash variety to add to the rotation? Then get excited to discover 13 types of yellow squash that are perfect for any meal!

Squash are native to Central and South America, but early Spanish explorers brought them back to Europe where many new hybrids were developed – one of them being yellow squash.

What is yellow squash?

Generally, yellow squash is considered a summer squash and have a delicate yellow skin. They can have long “goosenecks” or be shorter and stalky. Despite this common classification, there are actually varieties of yellow squash that are winter squash.

Winter squash have a hard exterior while summer squash has a soft flesh. Acorn squash is the main example of a winter yellow squash while yellow zucchini is an example of a yellow summer squash.

Despite yellow squash being a broad classification for both winter and summer squash, we will be focusing on summer yellow squash for the purposes of this article! Grab our complete guide to types of squash here (including both winter and summer squash!)

Types of Yellow Squash

Here are 13 common varieties of yellow squash. Have you heard of them all?

Banana Squash

Banana squash are a very long squash that grow up to 3 feet long. Their skins are inedible which is unusual for a summer squash, so they are usually cut in half laterally and the flesh cut out. Banana squash are also known as pink banana squash, and are unique in that they can be grown as a summer squash simply by harvesting them during the summer, or they can be allowed to grow and picked as a winter squash.

Delicata Squash

The delicata squash is an heirloom variety with a cream and green striped skin. Heirloom simply means it is an old variety not one of the thousands of recent fruit hybrids grown today. A surprisingly high percentage of today’s fruits and vegetables are hybrids developed in the last 100 years. So how old is the delicata? Well, we aren’t really sure. Generally to be considered an heirloom the variety must be more than 100 years old.

The delicata squash is a very tender oblong fruit. The name, no doubt, comes from its tenderness which also makes the skin perfectly edible. We are fans of eating the skins as it prevents waste, saves the effort of peeling the fruit, and the skins are generally very high in fiber. Delicata has a flavor something like sweet potatoes which is a major plus. Like sweet potatoes and other squash, they are great baked, roasted, and definitely try them in a stuffed squash recipe.

Fortune Squash

Fortune squash is a variety of yellow squash nearly identical to the yellow squash found at every grocery. They tend to be a bit smaller and paler than other yellow squash as they are typically harvested earlier. You can use these in all the same ways you would use other yellow squash or zucchini, like in campfire roasted veggies!

Gold Rush Squash

Gold rush is a variety of yellow squash noted for its very bright yellow skin which contrasts with their green top that looks like the top to a zucchini not a yellow squash. Use this summer squash like you would other yellow squash. The bright yellow skin would go well with this Stuffed Zucchini recipe as the skin makes a nice presentation. They are also a good option for any grilled yellow squash recipe.

Golden Egg Squash

Golden Egg squash, as its name suggests, has an egg-like shape and a bright golden-yellow color. It is a small, tender squash with a thin skin and delicate flesh that is both sweet and nutty. It is a hybrid variety that was first introduced in the 1980s. Similar to the 8 ball (round) zucchini, this is a good squash to use for.stuffed squash boats or any stuffed yellow squash recipe.

Golden Zucchini

Golden zucchini is a type of yellow squash that looks and tastes similar to green zucchini, but with a bright yellow skin. This type of squash has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture making it a versatile ingredient in many different types of dishes. Yellow zucchini has a slightly sweeter flavor than green zucchini and is great for grilling, sautéing, and baking. It can also be spiralized into noodles for a low-carb alternative to pasta. The golden zucchini is also a good option for making air fryer zucchini fries.

Pattypan Squash

Pattypan squash, also known as scallop squash, is a unique-looking variety of yellow squash. It has a round, flattened shape with scalloped edges and can range in color from pale yellow to dark green. Pattypan squash has a delicate, slightly sweet flavor and is great for stuffing, grilling, roasting, or sautéing. These squash are often used decoratively in the fall, but don’t throw them out after Thanksgiving. Instead, roast them in your air fryer.

Sundrop Squash

Sundrop squash is a cylindrical-shaped squash with a bright, sunny-yellow color. It is a hybrid variety that was developed in the 1990s and has since become a favorite among home gardeners and chefs. Sundrop squash is similar in flavor and texture to zucchini but has a slightly sweeter taste. Its cylindrical shape also makes it an excellent vegetable for spiralizing to use as a low-carb pasta substitute (for example, in this zucchini pasta with avocado pesto). It is also good in stir-fries, soups, grilled, roasted, or sautéed.

Tromboncino Squash

Tromboncino squash, also known as zucchetta, is a unique-looking squash with a curved, elongated shape that resembles a trombone. It has a pale yellow skin and a slightly nutty flavor. Like others, this variety of squash is great for grilling, sautéing, and roasting.

Yellow Crookneck Squash

Yellow crookneck squash is one of the most common types of yellow squash. Crookneck is the bumpy yellow squash you see in the grocery. It has a curved neck, a bulbous end, and is known for its bright yellow skin. The skin on crookneck squash is a bit harder than some other yellow squash, but is still quite edible.

This variety has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor and is perfect for any yellow squash recipe. They are a good substitute in zucchini crisps which we swear taste so much like traditional apple crisps.

Yellow Globe Squash

Yellow Globe Squash is a round and slightly flattened squash with a bright yellow color. It has a mild and sweet flavor, and is a good variety to use in any stuffed yellow squash recipe due to its shape.

Yellow Straightneck Squash

Yellow straightneck squash is the ubiquitous yellow squash you see at the grocery next to zucchini. This variety has a dull to bright yellow skin and has a slightly milder flavor than the crookneck squash. The brightness of the skin does not appear to affect the flavor.

You can easily substitute yellow squash for zucchini and vice versa. They are great in stir-fry and sautéed vegetables. If you want to make the recently popular zoodles (zucchini noodles) without the green tint, use yellow squash. Another great use for yellow squash is as a noodle substitute in this zucchini lasagna. Again, this is often made with zucchini, but yellow squash will give your lasagna a look closer to traditional lasagna noodles. The advantage to either of these faux pasta substitutes is that yellow squash and zucchini have less than a 1/6 th the calories contained in pasta and a health supporting nutrition profile.

Zephyr Squash

Zephyr squash is a hybrid squash that is a cross between yellow crookneck squash and green zucchini. This type of squash has a distinctive appearance, with a pale yellow body and a green neck. Zephyr squash has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a firm texture making it a great choice for grilling or sautéing. The unique appearance also makes it a good choice for any squash boat recipe or for an air fried squash recipe.

Frequently Asked Yellow Squash Questions

Can You Air Fry Yellow Squash?

Absolutely! In fact that might just be the best way to cook yellow squash. Check out our How to Air Fry Any Vegetable Guide. You can take just about any baked yellow squash recipe and move it to the air fryer. It will cook faster with less than half the energy use of your oven.

Do You Peel Yellow Squash?

No. Well, you certainly can, but why? With most varieties (banana squash excluded) the skin on summer squash is thin, edible, and loaded with fiber.

Are there Yellow Winter Squash Varieties?

We just focused on yellow types of summer squash in this article, but there are several delicious and versatile types of winter squash that are either yellow skinned, have a yellow pulp, or both. These include:

• Acorn squash
• Butternut squash
• Buttercup squash
• Honeynut squash
• Hubbard squash
• Spaghetti squash
• Sweet dumpling squash

Check out our article on 50 Types of Squash to research other squash and get some well-tested recipe ideas. We hope you found something you can use here, and as always happy cooking!