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.