by Before choosing the right variety of zucchini, you need to decide which type it belongs to. But it can be difficult to distinguish one vegetable from another. That’s why we’ve prepared a small guide to the types of zucchini.
There are over a hundred varieties of squash, bright yellow and dark green, short and long, smooth and rough, straight and curved. In this vast family of pumpkin crops, there are species and varieties for every taste, and therefore now is the time to find out which of them are better or worse and how they differ from each other.
Types of zucchini
Zucchini is a rather specific vegetable. On the one hand, it is a type of pumpkin, but on the other, it has the characteristics of many other edible plants. At the same time, zucchini is a type of thick-walled berry (like a cucumber or watermelon). Therefore, in summer cottages and on the shelves, you can find a huge abundance of zucchini of various sizes, colors and shapes. Now we will recall the main varieties of these crops.
1. Zucchini
Zucchini can be yellow or dark green with or without pale green stripes. The zucchini is medium in size and elongated, flattened on the sides. The skin is medium in density, smooth and shiny. The flesh is medium in hardness, juicy with a medium-expressed taste without sweetness. As a rule, zucchini grows to the size of a massive club, and many gardeners even strive for such “records”. But it is better to grow zucchini varieties that are not massive in size, since the larger the vegetable, the more water it contains.
2. Squash
These “UFO squashes” are the easiest to distinguish from the rest because of their unusual shape. They can be any color (from pale to green) and have a serrated “superstructure” along the diameter of the fruit. The flesh of the squash is tougher and denser than that of other squash varieties, which is good for culinary experiments and processing at high temperatures. Squash is especially good stewed with meat and chili peppers.
3. Crookneck
Crooked-neck pumpkin is another name for this vegetable with a convex base and a thin curved top. They are usually bright yellow, and the skin structure can vary: there are both smooth varieties and those covered with warts. The density of the pulp also depends on the specific variety.
4. Hybrid Delicate marshmallow
This subspecies of zucchini is the easiest to recognize – it has a two-tone coloring – a green base and a yellow top. Despite its name, this zucchini is as hard as a pattypan squash, so it is great for long-term stewing or baking, and the correct shape allows you to cut it into neat slices.
5. Kouza zucchini
This type of squash is grown primarily in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Mexico. They are usually pale in color, but sometimes there are variegated green varieties. The skin of the squash is thin, and the flesh is slightly sweeter than other varieties of zucchini. But in shape, they are no different from their plump cousins.
6. Round zucchini
These spherical “pumpkins” can be painted in any shade of green or yellow (in the latter case, they resemble grapefruits). Chefs find a very unusual use for these vegetables – the top of the fruit is cut off, the pulp is scraped out, and the resulting hollow ball is used as a container for soups or other dishes.
7. Tatum
An exotic variety of squash, which is found mainly in Mexico. The shape of the squash can vary from absolutely spherical to elongated. Two shades predominate in color – light or dark green. Among the features of this subspecies, we will highlight the thin skin and a large number of seeds.
8. “The Fat Man of Nice”
The French gave this squash a not very flattering nickname, but they did it rather out of great love for this variety of pumpkin. In fact, round squashes have a pleasant sweet taste and tender flesh, and it is not so easy to find them on the shelves.
9. Indian apple – tinda pumpkin
The pale green pumpkin with its absolutely smooth and shiny skin is more reminiscent of a giant apple or tomato. And indeed, the Indian guest stands somewhat apart from its relatives and at the same time has a tender creamy-white squash flesh with a unique taste.
10. Luffa
The last on our list is a unique pumpkin-liana – luffa, or natural washcloth. Its fruits are elongated and cylindrical, dry and fibrous inside with many seeds. Unfortunately, they are practically unsuitable for food, but they make excellent homemade washcloths, water filters, soap or oil. There are also edible varieties, but they grow in regions with subtropical and tropical climates.
Now you can definitely choose the most suitable type of zucchini for your plot and confidently choose vegetables on store shelves. As you can see, this crop has many varieties, but they all have one thing in common – huge culinary potential.
