Squash

Squash is the edible fruit of various Cucurbita plants, ranging from tender summer types with thin skin to hard-shelled winter varieties. Its flavor is mild and gently sweet, with some varieties developing a nutty aroma when roasted. Common uses include roasting, grilling, sauteing, and mashing for soups, purees, gratins, and stuffed dishes.

Native to the Americas, squash was domesticated by Indigenous peoples and spread globally after the Columbian exchange. It features across North American, Mediterranean, Latin American, and Asian cuisines, with summer types harvested immature and winter types cured after harvest for storage.