kabocha

noun

ka·​bo·​cha kə-ˈbō-chə 

variants or kabocha squash or kabocha pumpkin or less commonly kobocha or kobocha squash or kobocha pumpkin

: a winter squash (Curcubita maxima) of Japanese origin that is round with somewhat flattened top and bottom, typically dark green skin usually streaked or mottled with pale green, and yellowish-orange sweet flesh

Scoop the squash from its rind. There's no need to be too careful; kabocha squash skin is thin and easily eaten.

—The Chicago Daily Herald

Kabochas make a lovely table decoration until they're cooked.

—The Grand Rapids Herald Review

If you don't have access to kabocha pumpkin, which can be found at the State Farmers Market, it can be substituted for butternut squash or canned pumpkin puree …

—Brigid Washington

called also Japanese pumpkin

Examples of kabocha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ways To Use Kabocha Squash Just about any type of winter squash can be substituted for kabocha. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025

Alongside a generous portion of green beans and a protein of your choosing (chicken, pork, shrimp, beef, tofu or none), the crown jewel of the stew is the hearty hunks of Japanese kabocha squash, aka the Japanese pumpkin. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese, "kabocha squash, pumpkin"

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kabocha

• caccia
• dacha
• gotcha