Squash (plant)
Squash | |
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Yellow squash | |
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Squashes are a kind of vegetable. They are originally from the Americas. Gourds are in the same family as squashes. Pumpkins and zucchini (courgette) are types of squashes. Although squash is a fruit according to its botanical classification, it is generally considered a vegetable in food preparation. A squash can grow up to fifteen feet tall.
Word origin
[change | change source]The English word "squash" comes from askutasquash (which means "a green thing eaten raw"). This is a word from the Narragansett language, which was documented by Roger Williams in his 1643 publication A Key Into the Language of America. There are similar words for squash in related languages of the Algonquian family such as Massachusett.
Squash and art
[change | change source]The squash has been an important crop in the Andes mountains since the pre-Columbian Era. The Moche culture from Northern Peru made ceramics from earth, water, and fire. This pottery was used to represent important themes. Squash are a popular shape in Moche ceramics.[1]
Images
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Squashes grow hanging from a network of stalks
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Various squashes such as Turban, Sweet Dumpling, Carnival, Gold Acorn, Delicata, Buttercup and Golden Nugget.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Squash Display at Missouri Botanical Garden - Pics of 150 varieties from The Great Pumpkin Patch, Arthur, IL
- Big-Pumpkins.de Archived 2014-04-14 at the Wayback Machine This is a very informative site for the new as well as experienced giant pumpkin (Riesenkürbis) and squash grower aimed towards the German speaking audience, though all growers are welcome.
- The Great Squash Cook-off Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine - Recipe contest for winter squash in Brooklyn, NY