Kathrine Frich
If your squash tastes bitter or metallic, don’t eat it.
If your squash tastes bitter or metallic, don’t eat it.
Why You Should Always Taste Your Squash
The Danish Food Authority warns: bitter-tasting squash can make you seriously ill.
Even a small bite, cooked or raw, can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea within hours.
A Bitter Taste Is a Red Flag
If your squash tastes bitter or metallic instead of mild and fresh, don’t eat it.
Spit it out and throw it away.
A bitter taste is a sign the vegetable contains too much of a toxic substance called cucurbitacin.
Cucurbitacin: The Natural Toxin Behind the Risk
Cucurbitacins are some of the most bitter chemicals found in nature. In high amounts, they can cause food poisoning.
They’re found in squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, and other members of the gourd family.
How Toxic Squash Ends Up in Your Kitchen
Most store-bought squash comes from cultivated varieties bred to avoid these toxins.
But sometimes wild plants cross-pollinate with farmed crops. In rare cases, a plant can also mutate and start producing the toxic gene again.
It’s Not Just Squash: Other Foods Can Be Affected Too
Pickled cucumbers, pumpkins, and even homemade pumpkin jam may also contain cucurbitacins.
Always taste a small piece before preparing or serving, especially if you’re not sure where the produce came from.
Symptoms Can Appear Quickly
Cucurbitacin poisoning can strike within just a few hours.
Common symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and vomiting. The reaction can be severe even if you eat only a small amount.
Squash Is Still a Healthy Food When Safe
Despite the risk, squash is usually safe and healthy. It’s low in calories and packed with vitamins A, C, and B6, plus potassium, magnesium, and fibre.
It supports digestion and may help protect against disease.
Cook It, Grill It, Spiral It — Just Taste It First
Squash is great in many dishes, from ratatouille to low-carb “zoodles.”
You can bake it, grill it, or fry it, but always taste a bit raw first. If it’s bitter, it’s better to be safe and toss it out.
