[MichelleC]

Does anyone know of a great summer squash to grow? By great I mean a variety that actually tastes of something. This year I've grown Patty Pans. Easy to grow, extremely prolific but don't taste or anything. Very much like a courgette. You have to add tons of ingredients to make them worthwhile. Winter squash seem to be the ones that are flavoursome. There must be a summer tasty variety out there. 

[Aidy]

Discussed with some good suggestions here....
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=82460.0

[sunshineband]

Some of those in the link above can be eaten in the summer, but their best flavour imho comes after they have been stored for a while 

Summer squashes to me all seem quite similar in taste. Last year I grew yellow and white patty pans, which were not as prolific as courgettes.

This year I have grown yellow ball courgettes instead of them.

Be interested to see what others recommend 

[realfood]

Zapallito Del Tronco. This is a real find and is actually a variety of Winter Squash, Cucurbita Maxima. It is usually used when young and still light green, as a Courgette or even as a Cucumber. The consensus view is that when used as a Courgette, it is better tasting than a standard Courgette. In the areas surrounding Buenos Aries in Argentina, it is an important commercial crop when it is used while still young and tender.

If allowed to mature on the plant and harden off, it will store and keep till the following Spring. After storage, the skin can be peeled with a potato peeler, seeds removed and pan fried.

As It is a very large bush plant, allow 1 sq m. It should produce about 10 cannonball sized fruits.

[operabunny]

That sounds well worth a try, realfood. Do you know where you can get seeds as I have never seen this variety?

I quite like summer crookneck squash, which look like a bent, knobbly, yellow courgette but seem to have more flavour.

[sunshineband]

Seeds of Italy have tromboncino, that is similar 

[realfood]

I originally got my zapallito seed from the Organic Gardening cat, but I do not see it there any more. Some USA cats have it if you do a Google search,

[gavinjconway]

Hi Michelle... coming from Zimbabwe we get Gem Squash / Rolet seeds sent over all the time. They are the best squash ever.. pm me your address and I'll send some to you. But it is too late now so next season it will have to be your task to grow them.. you wont be sorry - they are delicious. 

Google Gem Squash or Rolet Squash for info on them.

[MichelleC]

Thanks for the replies. I can't wait until the next growing season to try these. This is my first year of growing on the allotment and I love it.  I'm already thinking about next years plan. x

[gavinjconway]

Hi Michelle - I posted you some Gem seeds today... hope you enjoy... no, I know you will enjoy yhem..

[mumofstig]

Hi Michelle - I posted you some Gem seeds today... hope you enjoy... no, I know you will enjoy them..

LOL
I don't rate them, so there's no guarantee that Michelle will enjoy them

[gavinjconway]

Oh she will!!

[mumofstig]

 

[gavinjconway]

Q. how do you do the crossed fingers??

[mumofstig]

It's from a smilie site and copied and pasted onto the post.