Paulista Butternut Squash
Cucurbita moschata

days to maturity: 90 days
plant spacing: 1 per square foot, but it will crawl
sunlight requirements: 8-14 hours
look out for: powdery mildew & worms
harvest notes: harvest fruit as summer squash or wait for skin to harden for winter squash
seasons: fall, spring

Paulista is a traditional Brazilian squash that’s well-suited to hot, humid climates like ours. This variety is grown by Commonwealth Seeds and is considered a “mini”with fruit best harvested at around 6” long. The fruit has tan to greenish skin and dense, orange flesh that’s rich, sweet, and nutty. It’s often compared to butternut squash in flavor, but with its own unique richness, making it a staple in soups, stews, roasting, or purees.

The plants are more compact than other vining squash varieties but still need a good amount of space. They need full sun, well-drained fertile soil, and regular deep watering. Because they’re a moschata type, they tolerate heat and humidity better than many squashes and show good resistance to pests like squash vine borers. Fruits mature in about 90–110 days and can be stored for weeks after harvest if kept in a cool, dry spot.