Summer squash
Summer squash are squashes that are harvested when immature, while the rind is still tender and edible. Most summer squashes are varieties of Cucurbita pepo,[1] though some are C. moschata. Most summer squash have a bushy growth habit, unlike the rambling vines of many winter squashes.Template:R The term "summer squash" refers to the early harvest period and short storage life of these squashes, unlike that of winter squashes.[2]
Summer squashes include the C. pepo varieties:
- Crookneck squash
- Gem squash
- Kamokamo
- Pattypan squash
- Straightneck squash
- Zucchini (courgette) and marrow, respectively immature and mature fruits of the same variety of C. pepo
Other summer squashes include the C. moschata varieties:
- Aehobak[3]
- Tromboncino or zucchettaTemplate:R
History
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."[4] Clark also used the spelling Script error: No such module "Lang". in his journal entries. Simlin, variously spelled Template:Transliteration (Thomas Jefferson's spelling) and Script error: No such module "Lang". 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.[5]