Pumpkins and squashes

Pumpkin and squash (Cucurbita species) have long been important food plants in Central and North America, complementing the other local staple foods of maize and beans. The oldest archaeological remains of these plants, dating back some 7000 years, originate in Mexico.

Originally, five species in the genus Cucurbita were cultivated: C. pepo, C. maxima, C. moschata, C. mixta and C. ficifolia. From these, hundreds of cultivars have been bred and selected to produce tastier fruit and hardier plants for colder climates. The fruit diversity is quite astonishing, with shapes ranging from globose to pear-shaped, elongated or flattened; with smooth, warted, ribbed or furrowed skin and colours from green, white and blue-grey to yellow, orange or red.

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