So What's the Difference Between Squash, Pumpkins and Gourds?
Texas A&M University says the answer lies in the stems. Pumpkins, squash and gourds all belong to the same genetic family -- cucurbita, but different subgroups, which can be divided into cucurbita pepo, cucurbita maxima and cucurbita moschata subgroups.
The pepo species of pumpkins is considered the true pumpkin, with bright orange skin and hard, woody, stems. The pepo subgroup also includes gourds, pattypan summer squash, scallop summer squash, gray and black zucchini, and summer crookneck squash.
The maxima subgroup produces pumpkin-like fruit but the skin is usually more yellow than orange and the stems are soft and spongy or corky, without ridges. Other members of the maxima group are hubbard, banana, buttercup and turban squash, most winter squash.
The pumpkins in the moschata subgroup are usually long and oblong instead of round and have tan rather than orange skin. The stems are deeply ridged. Also in this category are cushaw, winter crookneck and butternut squash.
The pepo species of pumpkins is considered the true pumpkin, with bright orange skin and hard, woody, stems. The pepo subgroup also includes gourds, pattypan summer squash, scallop summer squash, gray and black zucchini, and summer crookneck squash.
The maxima subgroup produces pumpkin-like fruit but the skin is usually more yellow than orange and the stems are soft and spongy or corky, without ridges. Other members of the maxima group are hubbard, banana, buttercup and turban squash, most winter squash.
The pumpkins in the moschata subgroup are usually long and oblong instead of round and have tan rather than orange skin. The stems are deeply ridged. Also in this category are cushaw, winter crookneck and butternut squash.
Source: http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/vegetables/a/squash.htm
(So- if I understand correctly, all gourds are squash, but not all squash are gourds?)
I buy mine at Rolling Gardens on Rt. 23- I pass it daily on my way home from work. An Amish family grows produce on-site and sells it from a shed on the property, unstaffed with a money box.
It's always been my habit to carve a jack-o'-lantern in October, and I never wasted the seeds, but it's been good for me to discover how to eat more pumpkins and squash. I enjoy pumpkin soup, pumpkin risotto... I recently made a Mediterranean chocolate cake with zucchini...
(So- if I understand correctly, all gourds are squash, but not all squash are gourds?)
I buy mine at Rolling Gardens on Rt. 23- I pass it daily on my way home from work. An Amish family grows produce on-site and sells it from a shed on the property, unstaffed with a money box.
It's always been my habit to carve a jack-o'-lantern in October, and I never wasted the seeds, but it's been good for me to discover how to eat more pumpkins and squash. I enjoy pumpkin soup, pumpkin risotto... I recently made a Mediterranean chocolate cake with zucchini...
