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The basic kinds of squash are known as summer and winter squash. You can find tan, orange, green, blue, yellow, and white squash - solid colored and with stripes. pepo - came the hundred-plus varieties we enjoy today. All squash are members of the Cucurbitaceae family of the genus Cucurbita.įrom five of these species (in case you’re training for Jeopardy’s “Agriculture Trivia” category) - C. About 20 species of wild squash grow in this range, which encompasses temperate and tropical regions. Wild varieties spread north to what is now the central United States, and as far south as Argentina. And they have been cultivated for more than 8,000 years, making them one of the world’s oldest domesticated crops. The first wild squash appeared in Mexico around 100,000 years ago.

The hard-rinded winter squash could also be hollowed out and dried, and then used to transport water or other food. But whether eaten raw or cooked, the flesh and seeds provided carbohydrates, healthy fats, and a rich source of micronutrients. The word “squash” comes from the Narragansett Native American word askutasquash, which means “eaten raw or uncooked.” This is because there are many kinds of squash, such as zucchini, that could safely be consumed without cooking. Where Did Squash Originate? /DebbiSmirnoff Let’s dive into these versatile veggies and examine some of the health benefits of squash. Of course, if you’re unfamiliar with the wide variety of winter squash, you might be missing out on some of the most delicious and nutritious foods simply because you mistake them for table ornaments. Winter squash are further divided into edible and inedible, with the latter serving both decorative and functional purposes. There are over 100 varieties of squash, comprising two main categories: summer and winter. While pumpkins, zucchini, and decorative gourds capture our imagination, they represent a tiny fraction of the world of squash.

And for a backyard gardener, late summer is the time when we desperately search for recipes to handle the bonanza of zucchini that we can’t even give away. A stroll in a farmers market in the fall will bring you face to face with gourds of all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. If you live in the US, it’s hard to avoid “pumpkin-spice” mania during the winter holiday season. Every so often, the world brings squash to the center of our attention.