Gem squash

South African Gem Squash.JPG

Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo var. pepo)[1] is a variety, or family, of summer squash. It may have come from two wild types; Cucurbita texana seen in the southern and central United States and Cucurbita fraterna found in Mexico.[2] The dark green round fruit, when fully ripe, is around the size of a tennis ball. The young fruit is often harvested before it is fully ripe when it has a softer flavor.[3]

Gem squash is grown a lot in South Africa, and is usually served as a vegetable, often boiled or baked.

References

  1. Paris, H. S. "Characterization of the Cucurbita pepo collection at the Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Israel". Plant Genetics Resources Newsletter. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  2. Sauer, Jonathan D. (1993). Historical geography of crop plants - a select roster. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 0849389011.
  3. "Table 7-126". Biodiversity International. Retrieved January 31, 2015.