Tromboncino (), also known as zucchetta (), is a type of

squash Squash may refer to: Sports * Squash (sport), the high-speed racquet sport also known as squash racquets * Squash (professional wrestling), an extremely one-sided match in professional wrestling * Squash tennis, a game similar to squash but pla ...

most often used as a

summer squash Summer squash are Cucurbita, squashes that are harvested when immature, while the rind is still tender and edible. Nearly all summer squashes are varieties of ''Cucurbita pepo'', although not all ''Cucurbita pepo'' are considered summer squashes ...

. While nearly all summer squash are cultivars of ''

Cucurbita pepo ''Cucurbita pepo'' is a cultivated plant of the genus ''Cucurbita''. It yields varieties of winter squash and pumpkin, but the most widespread varieties belong to the subspecies ''Cucurbita pepo'' subsp. ''pepo'', called summer squash. It has b ...

'', tromboncino is a cultivar of ''

Cucurbita moschata ''Cucurbita moschata'' is a species originating in either Central America or northern South America. It includes cultivars known as squash or pumpkin. ''C. moschata'' cultivars are generally more tolerant of hot, humid weather than cultivars of ' ...

''. The vining growth habit is similar to many

winter squash Winter squash is an annual fruit representing several squash species within the genus ''Cucurbita''. Late-growing, less symmetrical, odd-shaped, rough or warty varieties, small to medium in size, but with long-keeping qualities and hard rinds, are ...

es, but unlike most other summer squash. It is more tolerant to some common summer squash pests, including

squash vine borer The squash vine borer (''Melittia cucurbitae'') is a diurnal species of sesiid moth. The moth is often mistaken for a bee or wasp because of its movements, and the bright orange hind leg scales. The females typically lay their eggs at the base ...

squash bug Squash bug is a common name for several insects in the family Coreidae and may refer to: *'' Acanthocoris scabrator'' *''Anasa tristis ''Anasa tristis'' is a species of bug in the family Coreidae. It is a major pest of squash and pumpkins, ...

s, and

powdery mildew Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants. Powdery mildew diseases are caused by many different species of ascomycete fungi in the order Erysiphales. Powdery mildew is one of the easier plant diseases to identify, as ...

, than the more commonly grown, bushy, ''C. pepo'' summer squash cultivars. The plants are slower to start producing than some ''C. pepo'' types. The fruit color is usually pale green, fading to beige upon maturity, and it is picked around one foot long for summer squash. It is an

heirloom In popular usage, an heirloom is something that has been passed down for generations through family members. Examples are a Family Bible, antiques, weapons or jewellery. The term originated with the historical principle of an heirloom in ...

, originally from

Liguria Liguria (; lij, Ligûria ; french: Ligurie) is a Regions of Italy, region of north-western Italy; its Capital city, capital is Genoa. Its territory is crossed by the Alps and the Apennine Mountains, Apennines Mountain chain, mountain range and is ...

, and remains popular throughout

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

and abroad. Tromboncino squash can be left to mature into a winter squash; such is often compared to a watery

butternut squash Butternut squash (''Cucurbita moschata''), known in Australia and New Zealand as butternut pumpkin or gramma, is a type of winter squash that grows on a vine. It has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin. It has tan-yellow skin and ...

. If left to ripen, the fruits can grow over three feet in length. Its flesh is delicious roasted or when prepared in a stew or soup. Tromboncino is known by many common names, including: zucchetta rampicante, zucchino rampicante, climbing

zucchini The zucchini (; plural: zucchini or zucchinis), courgette (; plural: courgettes) or baby marrow (''Cucurbita pepo'') is a summer squash, a vining herbaceous plant whose fruit are harvested when their immature seeds and epicarp (rind) are stil ...

, climbing crookneck, trombolino d'albenga, trombetta and serpentine squash.

References

{{Squashes and pumpkins Squashes and pumpkins

See also

References