Uchiki Kuri Squash Seeds Japanese Red Kuri Heirloom

Uchiki Kuri, also known as Red Kuri or Hokkaido squash, is a Japanese heirloom with deep orange skin, dense nutty flesh and a flavour that sits somewhere between chestnut and sweet potato. Weighs 1 to 2kg. One of the best soup squashes you can grow.

The skin softens when roasted, so there is no need to peel it. Cut in half, roast until tender, scoop the flesh into a blender with stock and seasoning. Dinner in 40 minutes. Stores well for three to four months after harvest.

🌿 Plants are vigorous and highly productive, developing long trailing vines that perform best in open ground or spacious garden beds.

🌱 Growing information

🌱 Seeds can be sown indoors from March to May, or sown directly outdoors once all risk of frost has passed. When transplanting, handle young plants carefully to avoid disturbing the roots.

☀️ Uchiki Kuri needs full sun to grow well and ripen fruits properly.

💧 Water regularly, especially while fruits are forming. Try to water at soil level and avoid wetting the leaves.

🌡️ Under warm conditions, seeds usually germinate within 7–14 days.

📏 Allow plenty of space for growth, planting 100–150 cm apart to accommodate the trailing vines.

⏳ Harvest from September to October, once the skin has hardened and the stem has dried. After harvest, cure fruits for about 10 days in a warm, dry place to improve storage life. Mulching around plants helps retain moisture and supports healthy growth.

📊 Technical growing data

🌱 Sowing depth: 2–3 cm
📅 Sowing period: March–May
☀️ Light: Full sun
🌡️ Germination: 7–14 days
📏 Growth habit: Trailing vine
🪴 Spacing: 100–150 cm
⏳ Harvest: September–October
🔢 Seeds per packet: approx. standard quantity

🌿 Tips & kitchen use

• Harvest only when the skin is fully hardened

• Cure before storage for longer shelf life

• Excellent for roasting, soups, and winter meals

🍲 Simple serving idea – Roasted Uchiki Kuri Soup

Roast the squash until soft, then simmer with onion, garlic, and vegetable stock. Blend until smooth, season to taste, and finish with cream and pumpkin seeds if desired.