Typically when saving seeds of your favorite heirlooms squash, you should pick out your best & ripest specimen,or how ever many you wish, of good quality. Cure your squash by storing in a cool dry location for at least two weeks.
To collect seeds, use a sharp knife to cut your squash in halves and scoop out the seeds. Separate the pulp from the seeds and place the seeds in a bowl or jar with some of the gel like substance that surrounds the seeds. Add a little water and stir or shake a couple of times a day until the seeds settle to the bottom. The mixture should be beginning to ferment. Let it sit for about a week or so.
Use a colander to strain the liquid from the seeds, rinse until the water and seeds are clean.
At this point I will put the seeds to dry on a paper plate on the counter, drying them at room temp. Once dried, store your seeds in a cool dry container. They should be viable for germination up to five years.
PICTURED:
Once cured, the Futsu Squash turns from black to a golden/copper color.
