Q and A: Canning pesto, Monster spaghetti squash, and Hopi Pale Grey squash

Canning pesto

 I’d like to can pesto but I’ve only read admonitions not to can it. I know you’ve said that you can can it, but have you done so yourself?

 It seems that as long as you treat canning pesto like you would can a low acid food, that canning should be effective. In other words, there is nothing magical about canning pesto that makes it so dangerous?

 Brian

Mendham, New Jersey

 I have not canned pesto. Because it is such a thick product, it is not recommend that you home can it because of the possibility of the necessary heat during processing not reaching the center of the jar. — Jackie

 Monster spaghetti squash

 I bought a single spaghetti squash plant from my local nursery as it isn’t something we would eat enough of to justify planting from seed. However, it has now become HUGE! I planted it 20 feet away from anything but now it is taking over my zucchini, climbing up the fence, through the fence, and down the hill. At last count there were 42 squash setting. Would it damage the plant if I trimmed it back some? It seems to have taken on a mind of its own, and at this rate it will be in my tomatoes by next week!

 Jackie Chivleatto

Genesee, Idaho

 No, it won’t hurt your squash vine to prune the vines. Or you can simply pick up a vine and turn it back or in a different direction so it doesn’t overwhelm your garden even more. — Jackie

 Hopi Pale Grey squash

 I am growing my first Hopi Pale Grey squash and have three squash, but how do I tell when they are mature and ready for picking?

 Elizabeth Welcher

Indianapolis, Indiana

 Hopi Pale Grey squash are mature when they are light blue-gray. That usually happens a little before the first frosts in the fall. It does no harm to allow the squash to stay on the vine until then; they’ll just develop a nice hard skin which helps them store a very long time. — Jackie