Squash seed development/age

So, I know from my experience, that the older a squash is, the more mature/viable the seeds inside will be.  That said, I have 2 scenarios that I could use some experienced feedback on, if you will?

1. I purchased a store-bought acorn squash at the dark green stage with a spot of orange on it.  I let it sit on the counter for probably over a month until it was 95% orange.  I knew the flesh was not good at this stage, but I wanted the seeds inside to plump up.  I cut it open, and while it was loaded with seeds, they were empty shells in a sense.  I was expecting some plump full seeds at that stage of maturity.  Does anyone have experience saving acorn squash seeds?    Do they not plump up like other squashes?  I washed & dried the lot to gauge the thickness, but they all floated in my initial test.  

2. I have an OP maxima squash that was shaping up real nice that I wanted to continue in my landrace.  It was bright yellow with a blue blossom end & elongated like a candy roaster, pink banana, or gete okosomin type but with a little bulge in the middle like a hubbard.  I noticed on a previous examination that it had 2 bore holes in one end, so I picked it up a bit to examine if it had healed over yet & it halfway broke off the vine.  I went ahead & broke it off completely in the hopes that I can cure it & maybe get some seeds from it, but I'm doubtful.  Also, I wanted the plant to try & push one more female flower to fruit to try again now that the rains have come more frequently & the male flowers are back.  Have any of you been able to get viable seed from less than mature squash?  My plan is to cure it & save it back for a long time to let the seeds absorb the fruit, so long as it doesn't rot before then.  Anyone have experience with trying this?  

I don't have any experience with OP maxima squash though I do have experience growing acorn squash from ones purchased at the grocery store.

Acorn squash is my favorite squash.

My method of saving seeds is to scoop the seeds out just prior to cooking usually a few days after the store purchase.

I have never grown acorn squash any other way.

Thanks Anne, that gives me confidence that I'll have good seed afterall from the acorn squash.  Do you overplant expecting low germination, or are you fairly confident that you'll get good results?

I haven't planted recently though from memory I just planted as if I had bought seeds.

BTW, I was taught to put 3 seeds per hole.  Usually two plants work for me because I am the only person who eats acorn squash.  In fact I am the only person who eats any kind of squash.

if the seeds are all flat, empty shells, i personally wouldn’t hold out much hope that they’re viable. i doubt that it’s that acorn squash seeds don’t plump up like other varieties, more likely an incomplete pollination situation.

Greg,

You may be on to something.  The seed cavity was full of seeds very tight & packed in there.  When my knife went down the middle, it cut a whole ribbon of seeds in half & they were empty.  I rinsed the whole lot & removed any strings like I always do.  I tried a water test to see if any sank, & they did not.  I wasn't sure if that was a good test for these or not, so I dried them just to be sure.  I typically go through my squash seeds once fully dry, and any that aren't firm & solid when squished between thumb & forefinger get tossed.  This is the stage where I figure out if the seeds are full (plump), partially full(might grow if planted soon), or empty (hollow shell).  I'll have to try my "squish test" followed by germination test before throwing them all out.