Tag: Undercooked squash

According to a 2018 study in the *Journal of Clinical Toxicology*, over 350 cases of food poisoning were linked to bitter-tasting squash between 2012 and 2016, a key indicator that it is often unsafe to eat undercooked squash. It's crucial to understand the potential hazards and how to properly cook your vegetables to avoid serious health issues.

In a five-year study published in 2018, French poison control centers identified over 350 cases of food poisoning linked to the consumption of bitter-tasting squash. This demonstrates that while uncommon, eating squash containing high levels of naturally occurring toxins, known as cucurbitacins, can lead to illness.

Toxic squash syndrome, a rare but potentially serious foodborne illness, is often linked to eating bitter-tasting squash, which can sometimes be a side effect of being undercooked. The answer to 'Can you eat slightly undercooked squash?' depends heavily on the squash type—thin-skinned summer varieties or dense winter gourds—and the presence of any unusual bitterness.