How can you tell if spaghetti squash is ripe?

[Vinca]

I've never grown it before and I noticed I've got a good sized one in the garden. It's a light green color. Do they turn brownish? Believe it or not, I've never eaten one either.

[murray hill farm]

1. I really want to say...

that you should throw it up against the wall and if it sticks, it is done....but...oh...we are talking about squash, not spaghetti. I really do not know, but I think that it needs to be more whitish than green. Hope you get a more knowledgeable answer. I have eaten them...and they are yummy.

[Kolesar]

2. My experience with my favorite squash is to pick them when the vines die

When it looks like the leaves have yellowed, there is no point keeping them in the garden. I pick them and swab them with a mild bleach solution so that they keep for a long time. I love winter squash because I can eat them half a year later. I especially love spaghetti squash. My plant only gave me four this year. sigh

[Vinca]

3. Thanks. I guess spaghetti squash is considered a winter squash, right?

I always grow butternut and buttercup to keep for the winter. They didn't seem to pollinate terribly well this year so I haven't got many out there. I meant to help the bees out and pollinate them by hand, but I never got around to it. I might have to rely on the farmer's market.