Summer squash are
squashes
Squash may refer to:
Sports
* Squash (sport), the high-speed racquet sport also known as squash racquets
* Squash (professional wrestling), an extremely one-sided match in professional wrestling
* Squash tennis, a game similar to squash but pla ...
that are harvested when immature, while the rind is still tender and edible. Nearly all summer squashes are varieties of ''
Cucurbita pepo
''Cucurbita pepo'' is a cultivated plant of the genus ''Cucurbita''. It yields varieties of winter squash and pumpkin, but the most widespread varieties belong to the subspecies ''Cucurbita pepo'' subsp. ''pepo'', called summer squash.
It has b ...
'',
although not all ''Cucurbita pepo'' are considered summer squashes. Most summer squash have a bushy growth habit, unlike the rambling vines of many
winter squash
Winter squash is an annual fruit representing several squash species within the genus ''Cucurbita''. Late-growing, less symmetrical, odd-shaped, rough or warty varieties, small to medium in size, but with long-keeping qualities and hard rinds, a ...
es. The name "summer squash" refers to the short storage life of these squashes, unlike that of winter squashes.
Summer squashes include:
*
Cousa squash, pale-colored zucchini varieties purportedly of Middle Eastern or West Asian descent. Not to be confused with
cushaw Cushaw (or kershaw) is a common name for a winter squash with a curved neck. It may refer to:
*'' Cucurbita argyrosperma'' (syn. ''Cucurbita mixta''), the species most commonly associated with "cushaw", which includes the green-striped cushaw and ...
, a type of winter squash.
*
Pattypan squash
Pattypan squash (or 'patty pan') is a varietal group of summer squash (''Cucurbita pepo'') notable for its round and shallow shape, and scalloped edges, somewhat resembling a flying saucer. The name "pattypan" derives from "a pan for baking a pa ...
(scallop squash)
*
Tromboncino or zucchetta, unusual among summer squash as being a vining plant and a ''
Cucurbita moschata
''Cucurbita moschata'' is a species originating in either Central America or northern South America. It includes cultivars known as squash or pumpkin. ''C. moschata'' cultivars are generally more tolerant of hot, humid weather than cultivars of ...
'' variety.
*
Crookneck squash
*
Straightneck squash
*
Zucchini (courgette) and
marrow, respectively immature and ripe fruits of ''Cucurbita pepo''
*Immature
ridge gourd luffa is used as a summer squash in India, where it is known as ''turiya'' (તુરીયા) in Gujarati or dodka.
*
Aehobak
Aehobak ( ko, 애호박), also called Korean zucchini or Korean courgette, is an edible, green to yellow-green summer squash. Although nearly all summer squashes are varieties of ''Cucurbita pepo'', aehobak belongs to the species ''Cucurbita mo ...
(Korean zucchini) belongs to the species ''Cucurbita moschata''.
In the journals of Lewis and Clark, on October 12, 1804, Clark recorded that the Arikara tribe raised "great quantities of Corn Beens Simmins, &c." Clark also used the spelling in his journal entries. Simlin, variously spelled (Thomas Jefferson's spelling) and were words for summer squash, particularly ''Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo'', common name pattypan squash. The word ''simnel'' was used because of the visual similarity between the squash and the
simnel cake.
References
External links
Squash page
Squashes and pumpkins
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