The Great Cucurbit Family
The squashes available in Quebec markets can be distinguished by their level of maturity. They are often classified into two categories: summer squash and winter squash. Here’s how to tell them apart.
Summer Squash
- Harvested very young, so their skin is tender and edible.
- They are delicate and therefore don’t store for long.
- Stars of this group include zucchini and pattypan squash.
- They can be easily incorporated into a cold salad, a platter of grilled vegetables (antipasto), and even muffins or desserts!
- Zucchini flowers are also edible. You can enjoy them in a salad, but we recommend trying zucchini flower fritters—a true delight!
Winter Squash
- Harvested later in the season when fully mature.
- Their skin is very hard and inedible, which allows for longer storage (30 to 180 days, depending on the variety and storage conditions).
- The seeds, once cleaned, dried, and roasted, make an excellent snack.
- Stars of this group include spaghetti squash, butternut squash, buttercup squash, ambercup squash, and of course, the pumpkin!
- They are rich in fiber and antioxidants, support healthy digestion, and are low in calories.
Did You Know?
There are nearly 800 squash species currently cultivated around the world! Global production reaches about 19 million tons per year—that’s quite a lot!
In Samuel de Champlain’s exploration journals, he notes that Indigenous peoples were already familiar with this fruit: “We saw many pumpkins, squashes, and petums, which they also cultivate.” This culture seems to have existed for millennia in the Americas!
The city of Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgart in southwestern Germany, hosts the European Giant Pumpkin Championship every year. This year, the lucky winner came from Belgium, weighing an astonishing 1,190.5 kg (2,624.6 pounds)! Winter squashes are also nutritionally valuable, providing an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium, as well as vitamin C and folic acid.
Pumpkins and Traditions
Pumpkins have long been part of folklore and literature. In Perrault’s fairy tales, a pumpkin is magically transformed by the fairy godmother into a magnificent carriage that carries Cinderella to her destiny.
The Irish tradition of Jack O’Lanterns crossed the Atlantic in the 19th century, along with thousands of Irish fleeing the famine in their country. Originally, people carved scary faces into turnips. However, turnips were not widely grown in America at that time, so the Irish adapted their tradition using what was available: squashes and pumpkins.
Today, Halloween celebrations continue with decorated and carved pumpkins. It’s a perfect opportunity to transform your decorations into a delicious soup or a healthy snack—a wonderful way to reduce food waste!
Planning a Halloween cocktail party for your company? Hosting guests at home? Why not start a new tradition by enjoying the celebration while entrusting the culinary preparations of your event to your favorite caterer?
The Zeste du monde team will be happy to work with you to create a simple and festive menu that perfectly complements your event!
Looking forward to it!
Caroline Cudia, Editor for Zeste du monde
