Squash (vegetable)

Squash
Yellow Squash
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Violales[?] Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Cucurbita
Species
C. digitata C. ficifolia C. foetidissima C. maxima - winter squash, pumpkin C. mixta - pumpkin C. moschata - crookneck squash C. okeechobeensis C. palmata C. pepo
References
ITIS 22365 (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=22365) 2002-11-06

Squashes are classified as summer squash or winter squash, depending on when they are harvested.

Summer squashes (such as zucchini[?], pattypan[?], yellow crookneck[?]) are harvested during the summer, while the skin is still tender and the fruit relatively small. They are consumed almost immediately and require only a little cooking, or none at all.

Winter squashes (such as hubbard[?], acorn[?], pumpkin[?]) are harvested at the end of summer, generally cured to further harden the skin, and stored in a cool place for eating later. They generally require longer cooking time than summer squashes.