Boy squash:
Girl squash:
There are more complicated ways to tell the difference, but on the vine, it’s easiest to remember that no matter how small the blossom, a female squash blossom always has a micro-version of the eventual squash. (This is a butternut – you can tell from the shape.) No baby squash = male blossom. The males generally bloom first.
Eat Close To Home 
oh my god. I didn’t know there was a sex to squash. Now I’ve got to run out and look at my winter squash that’s creeping out in all directions.
Squash blossoms are awesome. Here’s why:
http://www.recipezaar.com/236801
I will note, goat cheese or sheep’s milk cheese is even tastier. I’m not sure the beer is strictly necessary. A light drizzle of honey over these when they’re done and OH MY GODS.
I have the female ends that haven’t grown into baby squashes like yours yet, but I guess that’s just a matter of time. Thanks for the info!!!
Of course, you want to leave the female blossoms alone so they can grow into squash, and pick the male blossoms to eat – but better leave a few!
As Emily says, early in the season it seems most of the blossoms are male, so that’s a good time to eat them.
Thanks for the beautiful information about male and female. your site is knowledgeable and keep going. I exact do all as what you do. Banking,growing,canning etc.
WHODATHUNK??? Now, is there a way to tell whether the female blossom has been fertilized (except by waiting a month for the squash to grow)??
If its not pollinated, it will shrivel and fall off in a week or so.
Thank you! I knew I was letting our pumpkin blossoms go to waste but was afraid of picking the wrong ones . . . since reading this I’ve been getting great batches of blossoms from our garden and have been making stuffed squash blossoms all summer! (recipe is on my blog if you’re interested 🙂 )
I have been battling squash bugs all summer and have barely gotten any squash. I am tired of not getting any fruit. Can I eat the female blossoms also. Since I have plenty of blooms, I thought I would just harvest the flowers and eat them. At least I will get something from the plant.
You sure can. Enjoy the tiny squashes!
And a hint for next year – move the squash to a new patch and add a couple big shovelfuls of half composted manure. That should boost the nutrition enough so your plants can better fend off the bugs.