Squash, Cucurbita sbb.

It is impossible to talk about ‘the squash’, as there are hundreds of different varieties, all of which look and taste different. Squash (lat. Cucurbita) is a plant genus that belongs to the squash family (lat. Cucurbitaceae). The genus of squashes includes many different species and subspecies, one of which is the courgette. However, this article will focus on the plants that are commonly known as ‘squash’, e.g. Hokkaido, butternut, giant pumpkin or musk pumpkin.

Variety in shape and color

Squashes grow as herbaceous, climbing plants. They form large, heart-shaped leaves and long, branched shoots. When a squash flower is ready to bloom, it opens so that it can be pollinated by flying insects. After pollination, the flower closes again and dies. Meanwhile, the bulbous part of the stem – which in botany is called the ovary and is located below the petals – begins to grow and becomes larger and larger until a squash has finally formed. These fruits vary greatly in shape, size and color – from small ornamental squashes to huge edible squashes. Botanically speaking, they are berries whose flesh and seeds are edible. Due to their hard skin, they are known as pepo, just like watermelons, for example.

Squash prefer warm, sunny climates and thrive particularly well in fertile soil with good drainage. They are propagated by seed and grow both outdoors and in greenhouses.

A pioneer with a long history

The squash was cultivated by the indigenous peoples of Central and South America more than 10,000 years ago. As one of the first domesticated plants, it was used both as a source of food and as a container for storage. Over the centuries, the squash spread to Europe, Asia and Africa through the trade routes of the colonial powers. Today, China, India and the USA are the leading producers of squash. In these countries, squash are grown both commercially for the food market and for industrial purposes, such as oil production from pumpkin seeds.

Nutritious all-rounder

Squash are extremely nutritious and are mainly used as food. Squash can be used to make all kinds of savory dishes, such as soups, purees or simply baked vegetables, as well as sweet dishes such as pumpkin pie, which is popular in the USA.

Squash contain a lot of vitamin A, potassium and fiber, while at the same time being very low in calories. Particularly noteworthy is their high antioxidant content, which strengthens the immune system and helps fight free radicals. In addition to the flesh, pumpkin seeds are also rich in valuable nutrients and are valued for their health-promoting properties. They are either pressed into oil or eaten raw or roasted as a snack. Medically, pumpkin seeds are used in particular to treat prostate and bladder problems.

Pumpkin seed oil is also used in the cosmetics industry. One of the reasons for this is that the vitamin E contained in the vegetable oil is said to have skin-rejuvenating properties. Pumpkin seed oil is therefore used in anti-ageing creams.

Not an easy harvest

Growing squash poses a number of challenges. One of the main problems is the large amount of space required by the climbing plants, which limits the area available for cultivation. The plant is also susceptible to pests such as the squash vine borer and diseases such as downy mildew, which can significantly reduce yields. While squash are relatively easy to care for during the growing phase, the harvest requires special care. Squash must be harvested by hand to avoid damage.

Halloween and other decorations: Why the pumpkin?

Pumpkins not only play a role in the kitchen, but also in numerous festivals around the world. It is particularly well known for Halloween: on October 31, numerous scary faces are carved out of pumpkins. But why actually? The custom originally goes back to an Irish legend:

An Irish scoundrel by the name of Jack O. Lantern was supposed to go to hell after his death. One day, the devil came to fetch him. Jack asked the devil for one last favor, to pick him an apple, which he granted him. However, Jack tricked the devil twice by confronting him both times with a heavenly cross, which he carved out of the apple tree while the devil was climbing the apple tree. This caused the devil great torment, so he promised Jack that he would never take him to hell with him. When Jack finally died, however, he could not go to the afterworld, because he went neither to hell nor to heaven – he had not been good enough for heaven during his lifetime. The devil took pity on Jack’s soul as it wandered through the darkness and gave him a piece of turnip with glowing coal inside to show him the way. This later became the carved Holloween pumpkin.

But the squash and pumpkin also play a role in other cultures and contexts: in Mexico, the pumpkin is integrated into colorful altars during Día de los Muertos. The pumpkin symbolizes sweetness and warmth, which are dedicated to the deceased and are intended to strengthen the connection between the living and the dead. The pumpkin is also a popular decorative element during harvest festivals in Japan and South Korea. It is a symbol of autumn and harvest culture in regions around the world.

Sources

GEO: Pumpkin – the nutritious fall classic. Link.
Ackerhelden: Pumpkin – cultivation, care, harvest. Link.
Growing up bilingual: Sugar Skull Pumpkins: Easy Day of the Dead Painted Pumpkin Craft. Link.