Squashis a botanical variety of squash (Cucurbita pepo). It includes a group of varieties with elongated fruit and light yellow, delicate, tasty flesh. Squash fruit is eaten cooked, stewed, baked or preserved. What else is worth knowing about this tasty vegetable? Get to knownutritional values of squashand see what it looks likegrowing squash in the gardenWe also recommend the bestsquash varietiesthat are worth plant in a vegetable patch!
Squash - cultivation on the plot
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Squash - nutritional values
OThe nutritional value of squashis mainly determined by the high content of minerals, especially potassium, calcium, iron and manganese, as well as vitamins B1, B2, PP, C, as well as folic acid and beta -carotene. Squash fruits do not accumulate heavy metals that are harmful to humansand are dietary, low-calorie (only 15-20 kcal / 100g), and at the same time easy to digest. They have de-acidifying properties.
Squashes are perfectfor various kinds of preserves, for stewing and baking, as well as for direct consumption.The taste of squash isslightly sweet with a delicate aftertaste reminiscent of nuts and quite juicy. Due to its nutritional properties,squash is recommendedto people suffering from hypertension, atherosclerosis, obesity, as well as those with metabolic problems.
Squash - cultivation
For the cultivation of squash, choosea well-sheltered, sunny position and fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral pH. Squash can be grown from sowing directly into the ground or from seedlings. When growing this vegetable from seedlings, the seeds are sown at the end of April in the pots in the inspection, and the preparedsquash seedling is planted into the groundin mid-May.
In the case of cultivating squash from sowing directly into the bed , the seeds of this vegetable are sown into the ground in the second half of May after the vegetables for the forecrop - lettuce, radish or spinach, when the risk of spring frosts no longer exists.Squash seeds are sown2-3 pcs. To a depth of 3-4 cm, spaced 100x80-100 cm.
When growing squash, don't forgetabout its regular watering and weeding. We start harvesting squash fruits in mid-July, and in the case of cultivation from seedlings - on average two weeks earlier. You can collect up to several dozen squash fruits from one plant!
Different varieties of squash and zucchini
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Squash - recommended varieties
Before we talk about the varieties of squash, it's worth knowing that squash is basically the same as zucchini. The name of squash is more adopted in south-eastern Poland.Butthe rules of cultivating squash and zucchini are identical
It is worth knowing, however, that the obtained cultivars of squash and zucchini may differ significantly from each other, and specific names of varieties are assigned only to squash or to zucchini.
Are there anydifferences between zucchini and squash ?
Well,squash varieties are considered juicier than zucchini , although the fruits of these vegetables are generally difficult to distinguish.
There is a significant difference in growth.Squash, similarly to pumpkins, will fold very well , taking up a lot of space on the flower bed. Courgettes grow taller, adopting a bushier habit. Therefore, if we have little space in the flower bed, it is better to plant the zucchini.
One of the most famous and recommended varieties of squash issquash 'Złoty Cepelin'This plant has a bushy habit with short semi-rigid shoots. The fruits of this variety of squash are small, 2-3 kg in weight, elongated. The peel of the fruit is light green, turns yellow with time as it matures, with a greenish-white flesh.Young fruits of 'Złoty Cepelina' can be preserved, retaining their color after processing, older ones can be stewed, fried or stuffed.
Another equally recommended variety of squash issquash 'Wanda' , which yields high and has a strong tendency to branching. The fruits of this variety of squash are light green, with time they turn yellow. They are perfect for stewing, baking and stuffing.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
