Summer squash are squashes that are harvested when immature, while the rind is still tender and edible. Most summer squashes are varieties of Cucurbita pepo,[4] though some are C. moschata. Most summer squash have a bushy growth habit, unlike the rambling vines of many winter squashes.[4] The term "summer squash" refers to the early harvest period and short storage life of these squashes, unlike that of winter squashes.[5]

Summer squash
'Zephyr', a variety of straightnecked summer squash[1]
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy20 kcal (84 kJ)
4.1 g
Sugars2.0 g
Dietary fiber2 g
0 g
1 g
Vitamins and minerals
VitaminsQuantity
%DV
Vitamin A equiv.
10%
90 μg
Vitamin C
20%
18.4 mg
MineralsQuantity
%DV
Calcium
2%
20 mg
Iron
2%
0.37 mg
Sodium
0%
0 mg
Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[2] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[3]

Summer squashes include the C. pepo varieties:

Other summer squashes include the C. moschata varieties:

History

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In the journals of Lewis and Clark, on October 12, 1804, Clark recorded that the Arikara tribe raised "great quantities of Corn Beens Simmins, &c."[7] Clark also used the spelling simlin in his journal entries. Simlin, variously spelled simblin, symnel, cymling, cimnel (Thomas Jefferson's spelling) and simnel were words for summer squash, particularly Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo, common name pattypan squash. The word simnel was used because of the visual similarity between the squash and the simnel cake.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Zephyr (F1) Squash Seed". Johnny's Selected Seeds. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  2. ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  3. ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Archived from the original on 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  4. ^ a b c "Zucchetta". Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center: Vegetable Research and Extension. Washington State University. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Summer Squash". University of Illinois. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  6. ^ Hong, Kue Hyon; Om, Young Hyun; Ko, Kwan Dal; Heo, Yun Chan; Yoon, Jin Young (1997). "Short Information (Characteristics of New Varieties Developed in 1997): A New Semi-bush Type "Aehobag" (Elongated Squash for Picking at Green Mature Stage) Lines, 'Wonye #401' and 'Wonye #402'". Korean Journal of Breeding Science. 29 (4): 509.
  7. ^ "Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Online". Lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu. 12 October 1804. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  8. ^ Whitney, William Dwight (1889). "simnel, 2". The Century Dictionary. New York: The Century Company. p. 321. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
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