Why does my steamed squash/zucchini sometimes have a bitter or "soapy" taste?

Question

Ugh... doesn't always happen and even when we grew it this happened sometimes. I normally slice it and steam it. Crook neck, zucchini, and the little ":flying Saucer" squash.

WOW! Cola2Sweet......That has got to be one of the best responses to any question I've ever seen. Are you tellling me it "just happens" and that it can't be avoided?

Answer 1

Zucchini and summer squash are usually slightly sweet. Flavor is not a major quality concern. Very rarely a squash fruit will be so bitter it is not edible and might cause medical problems. The bitter compounds are tetracyclic triterpenes called cucurbitacins. Although the reason for this occasional bitter squash is not definitely known, it has been proposed that it is due to rare cross-pollination with a bitter-fruited cucurbit during seed production, and subsequent planting and growth of a seed with the genes for bitterness. Contrary to what is sometimes thought, cross pollination of a zucchini or squash plant with a gourd plant will not cause the harvested zucchini or squash to be bitter.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why does my steamed squash/zucchini sometimes have a bitter or "soapy" taste?
Ugh... doesn't always happen and even when we grew it this happened sometimes. I normally slice it and steam it. Crook neck, zucchini, and the little ":flying Saucer" squash.

Answer 3

I've had that happen to me as well, and I was told that it happens when the squash is "past its prime"--in other words, it's old!

Answer 4

Was here on Yahoo Answers for something or other, but this topic was displayed on the sidebar...

Answer 5

Not completely sure about this one