Cucurbit Profiles


Acorn Squash Acorn squash varieties have creamy, yellow flesh with a sweet, nutty flavor. It’s ideal for baking, roasting and pureeing for soup. More »
Bitter Gourd Bitter gourd, commonly known as bitter melon or Balsam pear, has been grown in the humid tropics of Asia for centuries. The odd-looking, elongated fruit has bumpy skin and vanilla-scented flowers. A source of iron, ascorbic acid and vitamin C, bitter gourd is better when eaten young. It is often liberally salted before cooking to remove any bitterness. More »
Butternut Squash Butternut squash is a winter squash that is more resistant to vine borers than other squash varieties due to its thicker stem. The flesh is yellow with a sweet, nutty taste. It makes a great winter storage crop. More »
Cantaloupe There are dozens of cantaloupe varieties on today’s market. Choose a variety best suited to your climate. Urban growers may want to choose a fast-maturing variety like Fastbreak or Lil Loupe, which also take a little less space. More »
Cucumbers Cucumbers are prone to attacks from cucumber beetles, which transmit bacterial wilt. Choose resistant varieties whenever possible. Protect young plants with floating row covers but remove covers when plants come into flower to ensure ample pollination. More »
Pumpkins Pumpkin fruits range in size from miniatures weighing less than 1 pound to 1,000-pound giants. Choose thick-walled pie pumpkin varieties for cooking and baking, and varieties with thinner flesh for Halloween carving. More »
Spaghetti Squash The flesh of spaghetti squash is stringy and delicious. Oven-roast the squash, then remove the strands and serve with pasta sauce. More »
Watermelon Homegrown watermelons are as sweet as you can get. Smaller-fruited varieties like Petite Treat and Sugar Baby are good choices for smaller households. Yellow-flesh varieties have a sweet, mellow flavor and are good for gardeners wanting to try something different. More »
Zucchini Zucchini, also known as summer squash, comes in many varieties, including the standard long green types and yellow crooknecks. For something different, plant round varieties like Eight Ball or scallopini types for added interest and flavor. More »