ZAPALLITO DE TRONCO SEEDS

Cucurbita maxima

ORGANIC

Every other continent does zucchini better than we do. Here is yet another example: Zapallito de Tronco belongs to a family of Cucurbits that we consider “pumpkins". But this “pumpkin", when picked young, makes an impressive “zucchini". Possibly better than any zucchini you've ever had. The green flesh has been likened to avocado. It is dense and creamy and delicious. Nothing like the watery insipid crookneck zucchini that most of us have grown up with.

Popular in Argentina, Zapallito de Tronco sets fruit mostly along the central stems of a bushing, rather than vining, plant. The fruit should be picked when immature (just days after pollination) for Zapallitos Rellenos, or allowed to ripen on the vine for winter use. Mature fruit are very dark matte green, turning orange in storage, with sweet solid orange flesh that makes a great soup.

Culture is similar to all Cucurbits. Sow seeds outdoors in well amended soil in full sun when soil temperature nears 70°F, or start indoors 4 weeks before the last frost: sow seeds about 1/4" deep in moist soil, pressing to keep seed snug; mist with warm water; cover with plastic; kept warm (75°F) and moist in bright light seeds will germinate within days. Transplant seedlings to individual 3" containers when they have true leaves. Keep warm in bright light until hardening off around the last frost. Transplant outdoors when soil temperature is at least 65°F. Space 2’-3’ apart.

Cucurbits require rich soil. Amend with lots of composted manure and fish bone meal. When transplanting, fertilize seedlings with dilute seaweed extract and mulch with additional compost, and straw or grass or comfrey leaves, and marigold and mint clippings if you have them, up to two inches from of the stem. If you have squash vine borers, consider wrapping stem with aluminum foil or florists tape.

For seed-saving purposes, its worth noting that Zapallito de Tronco (C. maxima) will not cross with most common garden zucchini (C. pepo), or butternut squash (C. moschata). You can squeeze an awful lot of cucurbit diversity into a seed savers' garden.

Truly dual purpose.

Packet contains at least 20 seeds.