You know from reading here, that I've recently bought several pumpkins and winter squash, as well as grown some sugar pie pumpkins in my garden. Winter squash and pumpkins can last several months in storage, under the right conditions. In my laundry list of what I bought at our produce stand this past week, were 4 buttercup squash, 7 sugar pie pumpkins, and only 2 acorn squash.
I only bought 2 acorn squash because, for one thing, they go on sale a few times in fall at the grocery store. But also, acorn squash have almost the shortest storage life of the winter squashes. Whereas the sugar pie pumpkins and buttercup squash will keep for several weeks longer.
Here's a brief list of common squash and their approximate storage life:
Delicata -- 4-6 weeks
Acorn -- 5-8 weeks
Butternut, turban and buttercup -- 2-3 months
Pumpkins -- 2-3 months
Hubbard -- 5-6 months
The storage life listed is from harvest to table. It may be wise to use your store-bought squash about 2-3 weeks sooner. So, your typical store-bought acorn squash will probably continue in peak condition for 3 to 5 weeks, and a sugar pie pumpkin will be best if cooked within 6 to 8 weeks of purchase.
When selecting squash, look for one free of dark spots and with the stem still on. The one exception to having the stem intact is the hubbard squash. Hubbards actually keep better without their stems.
If possible, store at about 50 degrees F (such as in a cool basement, an unheated entrance such as a screened in porch, or a spare room with the heat turned off or vent closed). Wherever you store them, keep squash and pumpkin off of concrete floors.
The humidity is generally too high in both refrigerators and traditional cellars for storing pumpkins and squash. Although, once a squash or pumpkin is cut, it should be kept in the fridge, for up to 3 or 4 days.
Do not wash squash or pumpkins before storage. Washing will shorten the storage life significantly.
Don't store near apples or pears. The ethylene gas produced by these fruits will hasten the end of storage life in squash and pumpkins.
If you can't use the squash and you think it's nearing the end of its storage life, cut it into chunks, steam it and freeze to use later.
