Zucchini Astia F1 - Cucurbita pepo

The Astia F1 Long Courgette is an early hybrid variety, non-running, producing long, thin and cylindrical Courgettes, dark green in colour. This variety is resistant to diseases. The Courgette is an easy-to-grow vegetable plant that allows for abundant harvest. In cooking, it is often used cooked: sautéed, fried, gratin, soup or stuffed and is of course part of the ingredients of ratatouille. The Courgette can also be consumed raw, grated and mixed with other raw vegetables. The plants of the Eight Ball F1 round Courgette are planted from April to July, after the last frost, for a harvest from July to October.

The Courgette (Cucurbita pepo) is a summer Squash belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, like other Squashes (pumpkin, patidou, butternut, musquee squash, pattypan, potimarron...). All originated from America and were introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Easily hybridizing, squashes present a great diversity of colours (orange, green, red, yellow, black or even blue), sizes and shapes.

The Courgette is an annual plant, with an erect habit, offering beautiful yellow flowers from May to October. It is harvested immature, that is to say before its full development. The majority of varieties are non-running, but there are nevertheless a few running varieties, spreading on the ground, which will need to be pinched. Courgettes can be round or long, usually green but sometimes yellow or white.

In cooking, Courgettes are often consumed cooked: sautéed, fried, gratin, in soups or stuffed and are of course part of the ingredients of ratatouille. Courgettes can also be consumed raw, grated and mixed with other raw vegetables.

They are fruit vegetables that need regular watering to give their best. They love heat and sun and appreciate sheltered places.

Harvest: it takes place from July to October, by cutting the fruits with pruning shears. Pick the Courgettes when they are young and tender, without letting them grow too big (on average every 2 days in the peak season). Regular harvesting will promote the development of new fruits. You can also pick the male flowers (preferably in the morning) which can be eaten battered or stuffed. The male flowers, which will not produce fruits, appear on the thin and long, non-swollen stems.

Storage: Courgettes can be stored for a few days at room temperature or in the bottom of the refrigerator and for several months when cut into pieces and then frozen.

Gardener's tip: place a slate or a tile under the fruit. It will no longer be in direct contact with the ground, thus avoiding it from rotting due to moisture.