Squash (vegetable)

Squash (vegetable), common name for American trailing plants, of a genus of the gourd family, and for their edible fruits, which are used as table vegetables. Several members of the genus are also called pumpkin. Squashes have been developed in many varieties and yield fruits of widely differing forms and sizes. Summer squash, including the summer crookneck, the white or yellow scallops, and the green zucchini, is harvested early, before the rind has begun to harden. The Hubbard, Boston, marrow, turban, and butternut squashes are winter varieties gathered in the autumn with hard shells when ripe. Winter squash may be stored much longer than summer squash. Other well-known types of squash include the cushaw and winter crookneck.

Scientific classification: Squashes make up the genus Cucurbita of the family Cucurbitaceae. Summer squashes are varieties of the species classified as Cucurbita pepo. Hubbard, Boston, Marrow, turban, and butternut squashes are varieties of the species classified as Cucurbita maxima. The cushaw and winter crookneck squashes are varieties of the species classified as Cucurbita moschata.