Squash (plant)
Squashes are a kind of vegetable. They are originally from the Americas. Gourds are in the same family as squashes. Pumpkins and zucchini (courgette) are types of squashes. Although squash is a fruit according to its botanical classification, it is generally considered a vegetable in food preparation. A squash can grow up to fifteen feet tall.
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| Yellow squash | |
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Word origin
The English word "squash" comes from askutasquash (which means "a green thing eaten raw"). This is a word from the Narragansett language, which was documented by Roger Williams in his 1643 publication A Key Into the Language of America. There are similar words for squash in related languages of the Algonquian family such as Massachusett.
Squash and art
The squash has been an important crop in the Andes mountains since the pre-Columbian Era. The Moche culture from Northern Peru made ceramics from earth, water, and fire. This pottery was used to represent important themes. Squash are a popular shape in Moche ceramics.[1]
Images
Squashes grow hanging from a network of stalks
Various squashes such as Turban, Sweet Dumpling, Carnival, Gold Acorn, Delicata, Buttercup and Golden Nugget.
Squash (plant) Media
Cucurbita female flower with pollinating squash bees
Male flower, part of the perianth and one filament removed
Kabocha seedling seven days after being sown
An assortment of fruits of C. maxima and C. pepo
A festival-winning pumpkin in 2009 weighing 742 kilograms (1,636 lb)
C. moschata 'Butternut'
Fruit of the 'Tromboncino' cultivar of the Crookneck (C. moschata) Group are eaten either when very young, or as mature winter squash.
Starr 070730-7820 Cucurbita pepo
Cucurbita pepo Cocozelle fruits
Crooked Neck Squash on red table cloth.
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References
- ↑ Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.
Other websites
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Wikispecies has information on: Cucurbita. |
- Squash Display at Missouri Botanical Garden - Pics of 150 varieties from The Great Pumpkin Patch, Arthur, IL
- Big-Pumpkins.de Archived 2014-04-14 at the Wayback Machine This is a very informative site for the new as well as experienced giant pumpkin (Riesenkürbis) and squash grower aimed towards the German speaking audience, though all growers are welcome.
- The Great Squash Cook-off Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine - Recipe contest for winter squash in Brooklyn, NY