Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia - Cucurbita maxima

The Marina di Chioggia Pumpkin is a trailing variety that produces round, flattened fruits weighing from 4 to 8 kg. Its very dark green-blue, ribbed and warty skin is highly decorative. It contains firm, thick, sweet orange to red flesh. It stores very well. Sow from April to June and harvest from August to October.

Orange, green, red, yellow, black or even blue, smooth, ribbed, warty, with tender skin, etc. squash and courgettes offer us an astonishing variety of shapes, colours and sizes, as they hybridise easily. That's why there are so many varieties. Winter squash commonly refers to all kinds of pumpkins, potimarrons, and squashes with tough skin and delicately sweet flesh. Summer squash or courgettes generally refers to the different varieties that are harvested while still young and with tender skin. The latter are consumed with the seeds.

All originate from America and belong to the large cucurbit family. They were introduced to Europe in the 16th century. They are generally trailing and cling to any support with their tendrils. Female flowers are 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 consumed stuffed or in fritters. There are many ways to eat squash and courgettes. Sautéed, fried, gratin, soups or stuffed. Courgettes are popular in ratatouille, Italian caponata, Maghrebi couscous or many Mediterranean dishes. Courgettes and squash are low in calories, but rich in vitamins, especially provitamin A, vitamin B, and minerals.

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

Storage: Courgettes can be chopped 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 you might as well keep them where their silhouette can be appreciated.

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, so consider mulching around the plants, especially during the height of summer. Squash and courgettes are prone to powdery mildew (a fungal disease that leaves a white fuzz on the surface of the leaves). Avoid watering the leaves or flowers. Grow your squash with alliums such as chives, onions, or shallots, or with legumes such as beans or peas. Growing squash and cucumber together may be detrimental to both parties.