Black Futsu Squash

Black Futsu is an heirloom Japanese pumpkin with attractive, deeply ribbed, bumpy skin that cures from deep black-green to a warm orange buff color. Its skin is thin and edible, and its flesh is top-notch: finely textured and extraordinarily nutty in flavor. It is wonderful roasted, fried in tempura, pureed in pies or soups, or pickled. We like to imagine this squash as a metaphor of sorts: that no matter how complex and intricate something (or someone!) seems on the outside, it can be made up of sweet and simple truths. Black Futsu bears 3-5 fruits per plant, averaging 3 lbs. each.