Yes, smell the stem end. A fresh squash should have a faint, earthy scent. Like soil after rain. If it smells sour or musty, it’s rotting from the inside out.
Don’t worry, the whole stem part is technically a fruit scar. It’s where it was attached to the vine. A bit of earthy smell is normal. No smell is also fine. Just avoid anything funky.
Funny story: I once smelled a squash so intensely in a crowded store that a kid asked his mom, “Why is that lady sniffing the pumpkin?” You might get stares. You might become a local legend. Worth it.
Why This is Fun
Picking a butternut squash is like detective work for your dinner. You’re looking for clues. Weight, color, sound, smell. It’s a multi-sensory adventure.
When to Harvest Butternut Squash
Plus, you get to eat the results. A perfect squash makes the most velvety soup. It makes roasted cubes that caramelize into candy. It makes mac and cheese that will haunt your dreams.
And there’s a weird joy in winning at produce. You walk home feeling superior. You saved yourself from a bland, watery chunk of autumn sadness. You are the champion of squash.
