Summer squash

Summer squash can either refer to a squash plant with fruit that is harvested when immature, or the fruit itself. The word "summer" reflects their early harvest period and short storage life, in contrast to winter squashes. Some Cucurbita species and varieties are cultivated for both "summer" and "winter" fruit.

Cultivation

Summer squash often have a bushy growth habit, unlike the rambling vines of many winter squash varieties.
The varieties grown for use as summer squash vary by region and culture but include types from each of the five Cucurbita species generally acknowledged as domesticated.
The species Cucurbita pepo is thought to include the greatest diversity of summer squash varieties.

Summer squash varieties by species

Cucurbita argyrosperma

Pipián or pipián fresco

Cucurbita ficifolia
Cucurbita maxima varieties:

Zapallito cultivar group

Cucurbita moschata varieties:

Aehobak
Tromboncino or zucchetta

Cucurbita pepo varieties:

Crookneck squash
Gem squash
Kamokamo
Pattypan squash
Straightneck squash
Zucchini and marrow, respectively immature and mature fruits of the same variety

History

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." Clark also used the spelling simlin in his journal entries. Simlin, variously spelled and italic=no were words for summer squash, particularly Cucurbita pepo ''pepo, common name pattypan squash. The word simnel'' was used because of the visual similarity between the squash and the simnel cake.