Non-trailing Zucchini - Vilmorin seeds - Cucurbita pepo

This Italian courgette, also called Coucourzelle, is a non-running variety with a bushy habit. Its green fruits, streaked with yellow, are elongated and smooth. To fully enjoy their taste, harvest them when they are young. Sow from April to June. Harvest from July to October. Zucchini and squash are low in calories but rich in vitamins, especially provitamin A, vitamin B, and minerals.

Orange, green, red, yellow, black, or even blue, smooth, ribbed, warty, with tender skin, etc. Squash and courgettes have a surprising range of shapes, colours, and sizes because they easily hybridise. That's why there are so many varieties. Winter squash generally refers to all kinds of pumpkins, potimarrons, and squashes with tough skin and delicately sweet flesh. By summer squash or zucchini, we mean the different varieties that are harvested when the skin is still tender. The latter are eaten with the seeds.
All originate from America and belong to the large family of cucurbits. They were introduced to Europe in the 16th century. They are generally running and cling to any support with the help of their tendrils. Female flowers can be distinguished from male flowers by their inferior ovary (under the flower), which resembles a small fruit. In many regions, male flowers are harvested after pollination to be eaten stuffed or in fritters. There are multiple ways to eat squash and courgette. Sautéed, fried, gratin, soups, or stuffed. Courgette is used in Provençal ratatouille, Italian caponata, Maghrebi couscous, or many Mediterranean dishes.

Harvest: Squash should be harvested when fully ripe, unless there is a risk of rotting. In which case, they can finish ripening indoors. Coutgette is harvested young and fresh, still immature. All should be handled with care and not damaged.

Storage: Courgette can be cut into pieces and frozen. Their fragile skin is not suitable for storage as they are. Winter squash 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 store them where their silhouette can be appreciated.

The gardener's tip: Place a slate or tile under the fruit. It will then no longer be in direct contact with the ground, thus avoiding rotting due to humidity. They particularly like slightly moist soils. Remember to mulch around the plants, especially during the height of summer. Squash and courgettes are very susceptible to powdery mildew (a fungal disease that leaves a white fuzz on the surface of leaves). Be careful not to water the leaves or flowers. Grow your squash with alliums like chives, onions, or shallots, or with legumes like beans or peas. Growing squash and cucumber together may be detrimental to both parties.