Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo var. pepo)[1] is a variety of summer squash that may have been domesticated from two wild varieties; Cucurbita texana found in the southern and central United States and Cucurbita fraterna found in Mexico.[2] It bears notable similarities to Tatume squash or Calabacita, a Cucurbita pepo variety widely grown in Mexico and parts of Texas with a similar vining or climbing and fruiting habit [3] The dark green spherical fruit, when fully ripe, is about the size of a tennis ball. The young fruit is often harvested before it is fully ripe when it has a more delicate texture flavor.[4]
Gem squash is grown widely in South Africa, and is commonly served as a vegetable, often boiled or baked.[5]
References
edit- ^ Paris, H. S. "Characterization of the Cucurbita pepo collection at the Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Israel". Plant Genetics Resources Newsletter. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ Sauer, Jonathan D. (1993). Historical geography of crop plants - a select roster. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 0849389011.
- ^ https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/2010/jun/tatume.html
- ^ "Table 7-126". Biodiversity International. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ "Gem Squash".
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