Crookneck squash, also known as yellow squash, is a

cultivar A cultivar is a type of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and when propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture, ...

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 ...

'', the species that also includes some

pumpkin A pumpkin is a vernacular term for mature winter squash of species and varieties in the genus ''Cucurbita'' that has culinary and cultural significance but no agreed upon botanical or scientific meaning. The term ''pumpkin'' is sometimes use ...

s and most other

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 ...

es. The plants are bushy and do not spread like the plants of winter squash and pumpkin. Most often used as a

, it is characterized by its yellow skin (which may be smooth or bumpy) and sweet yellow flesh, as well as its distinctive curved stem-end or "crooked neck". It should not be confused with crookneck cultivars 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 ' ...

'', such as the

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 ...

'Golden Cushaw', or the vining summer squash '

Tromboncino Bartolomeo Tromboncino (c. 1470 – 1535 or later) was an Italian composer of the middle Renaissance. He is mainly famous as a composer of '' frottole''; he is principally infamous for murdering his wife. He was born in Verona and died in or ...

'. Its name distinguishes it from another similar-looking variety of ''C. pepo'', the

straightneck squash Straightneck squash is a cultivated variety of ''Cucurbita pepo'' grown as a type of summer squash that is usually yellow-colored. It is also known as yellow squash, though other squashes, such as crookneck squash, may also be known by that name. ...

, which is also usually yellow. There is one similar non-edible ''C. pepo'' variety: ''C. pepo'' var. ''ovifera''. Yellow crookneck squash are generally harvested immature, when they are less than two inches in diameter, since the skin toughens and the quality degrades as the squash reaches full maturity.

References

External links

*
National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
Squashes and pumpkins {{Cucurbitales-stub