BEDLAM SQUASH

Heritage

Bedlam Farms Organic is a genuinely multi-generational family business rooted in the rich, peaty soils of the Cambridgeshire Fens, an area long recognised for producing some of the finest vegetables in Britain. The farm traces its origins to two family-owned businesses, M.F. Martin Ltd and the original Bedlam Farms, which together represent four generations of farming expertise in the region. In 2006, fourth-generation farmer Clive Martin made the pivotal decision to convert a third of the family’s land into specialist organic vegetable production, a move that would establish Bedlam as one of the country’s most distinctive growers of vegetables not widely available elsewhere in the UK.

What began primarily as an asparagus operation has since flourished into a genuinely diverse portfolio, and squash quickly became one of Bedlam’s true specialities, thanks to the exceptional suitability of the Fens’ peaty soil for cucurbit cultivation. The farm now grows a remarkable range of squash varieties side by side, each selected specifically for flavour, texture and culinary versatility, from the dense, honey-sweet Crown Prince, celebrated for its exceptional keeping qualities through the depths of winter, to the sweet-potato-like Kabocha, prized among chefs for its intensely sweet, fine-textured flesh.

Every Bedlam squash is grown to full organic certification through Organic Farmers & Growers, harvested and cured on-site before travelling no further than a mile from field to packhouse, a level of traceability and freshness genuinely rare in modern vegetable supply chains. Squash itself has a far older story stretching back to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, where it formed one of the “Three Sisters”, alongside maize and beans, first domesticated in Mesoamerica some 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Bedlam’s careful, single-farm cultivation of these ancient varieties in the English Fens represents a genuinely modern chapter in one of agriculture’s oldest stories, with the main harvest season running from late summer through to the depths of winter, thanks to squash’s naturally excellent storage properties.

Nutritional Profile

Your health-conscious diners will appreciate what wholesale Bedlam squash brings to the table:

• Exceptionally rich in vitamin A – among the highest of any commonly eaten vegetable, supporting eye health and immune function

• Good source of vitamin C – supporting immunity and skin health

• Contains dietary fibre – around 2.5-3g per 100g, supporting digestive health

• Provides potassium – supporting healthy blood pressure and muscle function

• Genuinely low in calories – approximately 37-40 calories per 100g raw

• Contains beta-carotene – contributing to the vivid orange colour found across most varieties

• Virtually fat-free, making it a versatile, wholesome base for both simple and refined preparations

The exceptional vitamin A content found across nearly every squash variety Bedlam grows makes wholesale Bedlam squash a genuinely valuable nutritional addition to any autumn and winter menu, delivering real health benefits alongside deep, satisfying flavour.

Chef’s Corner

Bedlam squash delivers a genuine depth of natural sweetness and dense, satisfying texture that varies meaningfully between varieties, from the buttery, nutty Crown Prince to the delicate, edible-skinned Delicata. Its firm, dense flesh holds up beautifully to slow roasting, which concentrates natural sugars into a rich, almost caramelised sweetness. When sourcing wholesale Bedlam squash, look for firm, unblemished skin with good weight for its size, a hard, intact stem, and no soft spots, indicating proper curing and excellent storage condition.

Here’s how London chefs are making the most of this British-grown treasure:

Raw Applications:

• Shave very thinly on a mandoline for delicate raw salads, particularly with tender varieties like Delicata

• Use as an edible, colourful base or garnish where thin slices retain crunch

Cooked Applications:

• Roast in wedges with olive oil and salt, the simplest way to showcase natural sweetness across nearly every variety

• Purée into silky soups, gnocchi fillings and refined plated accompaniments

• Steam or mash Kabocha for a sweet-potato-like side dish

• Cut into wedges and roast Crown Prince before peeling, as its tough skin separates far more easily once cooked

• Stuff and bake smaller varieties whole for an elegant vegetarian centrepiece

• Add to hearty risottos, curries and autumn stews for body and natural sweetness

Preparation Tips: Denser, tougher-skinned varieties such as Crown Prince benefit from roasting in wedges with the skin on first, as the flesh separates from the skin far more easily once softened by heat, rather than attempting to peel raw. Varieties like Delicata have genuinely edible skin and require no peeling at all, saving significant preparation time. Properly cured squash keeps exceptionally well in a cool, dry store, making it possible to plan menus around this ingredient across the entire autumn and winter season. Understanding these techniques helps you maximise the value of your wholesale Bedlam squash order.

Complementary Ingredients

Building dishes around wholesale Bedlam squash? These pairings work brilliantly:

• Sage – the classic aromatic partner for roasted and puréed preparations

• Chilli and ginger – adding warmth and depth to soups and curries

• Goat’s cheese – balancing sweetness with tangy contrast

• Hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds – providing texture and nutty depth

• Brown butter – enriching flavour in roasted and mashed preparations

• Maple syrup or honey – enhancing natural sweetness in glazed dishes

• Parmesan – deepening umami character in risottos and gratins

• Nutmeg and cinnamon – bringing warm, autumnal spice to soups and bakes

We can coordinate your British organic seasonal produce order when you buy wholesale Bedlam squash from Rushtons.

Wholesale Bedlam Squash from Rushtons

As one of the most versatile and richly varied organic vegetables in our wholesale range, Bedlam squash helps you create dishes that celebrate genuine single-farm provenance and exceptional flavour diversity. We work directly with this trusted fourth-generation family grower, whose Fenland soil and organic methods define quality across every variety.

What makes ordering wholesale Bedlam squash from Rushtons the right choice?

• Genuinely organic squash from a single trusted Cambridgeshire family farm

• Wide varietal range offering distinct flavours, textures and culinary uses

• Exceptional keeping quality thanks to expert curing and storage

• Grown with almost zero food miles between field and packhouse

• Expert guidance on storage and preparation across varieties

• Perfect coordination with other British seasonal produce

• Six-day-a-week delivery across London

Often regarded as one of the most versatile and consistently excellent organic vegetables available to professional kitchens, wholesale Bedlam squash brings genuine variety, sweetness and provenance to modern autumn and winter menus.

Browse our fresh produce wholesale collection to explore our complete range of British seasonal and organic produce.

Ring us to check wholesale Bedlam squash availability and pricing. This is premium single-farm organic produce with strong seasonal demand among chefs seeking authentic provenance and varietal diversity, so advance ordering helps secure availability throughout the autumn-to-winter season. We deliver throughout London six days a week.