Zucchini-Type Summer Squash
Featured Recipes: Gardening Tips: Sex and Squash Blossoms
Melons, pumpkins and squash all have yellow, trumpet-shaped
flowers, though those of melons tend to be smaller. Large ones
are prized for cooking by Mexican chefs, Italian chefs--and yours
truly. The first to appear are usually male blossoms, and until
the females appear, you can eat all you want of them. After that,
leave a few of the guys for pollination purposes. You can
recognize female blossoms by the little bump at the base that
will become a squash once the flower has been pollinated. Males
just have a long stem--a perfect “handle” for dipping the flower
in batter before deep frying. Cooking Tip:
Simple Summer Squash
Slice the squash very finely and put it in the top half of a
steamer along with finely sliced onions. Steam briefly until just
tender but not mushy. Drain, then stir in chopped parsley or
another favorite fresh herb, along with salt and butter. |
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#4005 Green Tigress Zucchini: 40-45 days
A medium green courgette, harvest Tigress at a diminutive 3” long for grilling, steaming or braising, sometimes with the papery yellow blossom still attached. Tigress produces uniform, smooth, long, cylindrical fruit that holds its fine texture and quality up to 8” long. Disease-resistant and vigorous, it is reliable in cool, damp weather and has an extremely early maturity date. Pick baby Tigress and slice into little disks to sauté in olive oil with diced shallots and garlic for a simple summer pasta with freshly grated Parmesan and a crusty baguette. (F1.)
Packet of 25 Seeds / $3.25
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#4010 Clairmore Lebanese Zucchini: 50-55 days
Lebanese zucchini is quite prized in the lively, open air markets of small towns throughout the Middle East. Clairmore is just such a variety: its pale green, silky speckled skin surrounds tender, sweet flesh with a delicate nutty taste. This hybrid is an open bush plant which takes up less space than other varieties. Clairmore has blunt ends and is perfect when picked at 5” to 6” long. Ideal for stuffed ‘boats’ in the Middle Eastern style: halve Clairmore, hollow out the pulp and stuff with a mixture of onions, garlic and chopped pulp, all sautéd in olive oil with chopped wilted spinach and a dash of cumin. Top with feta or goat cheese and bake until bubbly. (F1.)
Packet of 22 Seeds / $3.25
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#4020 Ronde De Nice Round Zucchini: 50-55 days
These stocky plants need a sunny 3’ in all directions, but you won’t begrudge them the space once you’ve experienced this round French heirloom. Each plant yields many jade-colored zucchini over a long period. Harvest Ronde de Nice from golf ball to softball size, while still pale and milky green. Unique in the garden and wonderful in cuisine, it is ideal for braising or stuffing whole, slicing and baking with cheese or in cream sauce with basil. It is just sublime grilled: slice thickly or use small, whole squash; brush with olive oil and grill. Turn occasionally until fragrant, lightly browned and scandalously sweet and juicy. (OP.)
Packet of 25 Seeds / $3.15
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#4030 Milano Black Zucchini: 40-50 days
The dramatic black skin of this traditional zucchini makes it a showy favorite. An extremely early variety to set fruit, Milano produces large quantities of swarthy zucchini over a long season on vigorous dwarf bushes. And, we mean vigorous: this variety grows quickly, so keep your eye on them as they mature. It is best picked no longer than 8” long, when it is shiny, sweet and most flavorful. We import this unique strain directly from Italy. Delicious raw, stuffed, boiled, baked or fried, the inky skin of this black Italian squash adds appealing color when grated in zucchini muffins, quick breads or pound cakes. (OP.)
Packet of 25 Seeds / $2.95
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#4040 Striato d'Italia Zucchini: 50-60 days
Not a variety you are likely to find at the market, Striato d’Italia features medium green color with lighter stripes and slight vertical ridging. When sliced, the zucchini is semi-scalloped at the edges. Lots of lovely fruits grow on big, bushy open plants for optimal harvest not larger than 8” long. What better variety for preparing zucchini lasagna: lightly steam zucchini, slice and sauté briefly in olive oil. Layer the zucchini with fresh lasagna noodles, sandwiching six to eight large basil leaves between the layers. Mamma mia! Striato d’Italia is sweetly full-flavored, and in this case, ‘less is more’. Rather than cheese, top this ethereal dish with a bechamel sauce jazzed with a generous pinch of freshly-grated nutmeg. (OP.)
Packet of 25 Seeds / $2.85
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#4045 Golden Rod Zucchini: 50-55 days
This glossy sunflower-yellow Zucchini is the earliest
yellow variety available. Golden Rod produces uniform, long
cylindrical fruit that colors up early with reduced green
ends. Its compact plants are open, making harvest less of a
treasure hunt. Pick Golden Rod when it is just 8” long for
the most sweet and tasty flavor and to encourage its
productive yield. (F1.)
Packet of 25 Seeds / $3.25
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#4050 Zucchetta Trombolina Zucchini: 60-80 days
Known as a tromboncino type for its resemblance to a trombone, this quirky pale green heirloom is imported from Italy. Trombolina is borne on vines which scramble to 8’ long or more. We recommend vertical trellising and a wide berth: please avoid crowding plants. When supported, the squash can straighten out to a length of 3 feet! Optimum picking size, however, is 12” to 15”. Untrained Trombolina vines will produce fruit resembling balloon animals. This squash is virtually seedless and has an unusually firm texture which stands up well to cooking. (OP.)
Packet of 18 Seeds / $2.95
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