Zucchini Orelia F1 Plants - Cucurbita pepo

The 'Orelia' F1 Courgette is a productive variety of courgettes with yellow skin. Its flesh is tender and has good taste qualities. Highly resistant to diseases, it is easy to grow. Courgettes and squashes are low in calories but rich in vitamins, including provitamin A, vitamin B, and minerals.

Orange, green, red, yellow, black, or even blue, smooth, ribbed, warty, or with tender skin, squashes and courgettes offer us an astonishing variety of shapes, colors, and sizes as they hybridise with disconcerting ease. That's why there are so many varieties. In common language, winter squash refers to all kinds of pumpkins, butternut squashes, and winter squashes with tough skin and delicately sweet flesh. By summer squash or courgettes, we mean the different varieties that are harvested when the skin is still tender. The latter are consumed with the immature seeds inside.

They all originate from the Americas and belong to the large family of cucurbits. They were introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Generally trailing, they cling to any support with their tendrils. Female flowers can be distinguished from male flowers by their inferior ovary (under the flower), which marks them as an embryo of fruit. In many regions, male flowers are harvested after pollination to be eaten stuffed or in fritters. There are multiple ways to consume squashes and courgettes: Sautéed, fried, in gratin, soups, or stuffed. Courgettes are famous in Provençal ratatouille, Italian caponata, Maghrebi couscous, or many emblematic Mediterranean dishes.

Harvest: Squashes should preferably be harvested when fully ripe, unless there is a risk of rotting. In this case, they will finish ripening indoors. Courgettes are harvested young and fresh, still immature. All should be handled with care and remain free from any cuts or bruises.

Storage: Courgettes can be cut into pieces and frozen. Their fragile skin is not suitable for storage as winter squashes are. Winter squashes with tough skin can be stored for several months and consumed throughout the winter. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, they need warmth for optimum storage. There is no need to store them in a dark place, so you might as well store them where their colours and silhouette can be appreciated.

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 rotting due to humidity. Similarly, they particularly like slightly moist soils. Remember to mulch around the plants, especially during the height of summer. Squashes and courgettes are very susceptible to powdery mildew (a fungal disease that leaves a white fuzz on the surface of leaves). Avoid watering on the leaves or flowers. Associate your squashes with alliums such as chives, onions, or shallots, or with legumes such as beans or peas. On the other hand, the marriage of squash and cucumber may be detrimental to both parties.