Summer Squash Fruit Varieties

Yellow

• Yellow summer squash fruit can be divided into two primary types: straightneck and crookneck varieties. Both are thin, long and bottle-shaped with a constricted neck, that is, a thinner stem end and a more bulbous blossom end; however, straightneck squash have straighter necks, whereas crooknecks are curved. The fruit surface may be smooth or bumpy, depending on variety, and the color can vary from light cream to golden yellow. Yellow squash cultivars include “Sundance,” “Early Prolific Straightneck,” “Goldbar” and “Dixie.”

Zucchini

• Zucchini types of summer squash originated in Italy. Their shape is typically long and cylindrical or club shaped. Most commonly, zucchini fruit are dark green, but some varieties produce white-, yellow- or black-skinned squash. Darker zucchini fruit contain higher nutrient levels than lighter-colored varieties. Zucchini skin is usually smooth, although cultivars such as “Black Beauty” are ridged and “Embassy” can have a few spines. Other varieties of this vegetable marrow include “Cocozelle,” “Vegetable Marrow White Bush,” “Goldy,” “Chefini” and “Spineless Beauty.”

Scallop

• Scallop summer squash are also referred to as pattypan squash. Their fruit shape differs considerably from the yellow or zucchini types, typically a flatter, disc-shaped form with scalloped or ridged edges. Skin color can range from white, yellow to green and striped varieties. The flesh tends to be firmer than other summer squash types. Recommended scallop summer squash cultivars include the “White Bush Scallop,” “Peter Pan,” “Sunburst,” “Benning's Green Tint” and “Dark Green Scallopini.”

Mideast and Cousa

• Mideast and Cousa summer squash varieties are similar to yellow squash and zucchini but their fruit is shorter, thicker and more round or oval shaped. In addition, their plants are compact and thus well suited for growing in containers or small garden spaces. Like other summer squash types, fruit color ranges from creamy yellow to dark green and may be striped, although most commonly Mideast and Cousa squash are pale green. Examples of this squash variety include the globe-shaped “Gourmet Globe,” “Sun Drops,” “Lemon” and “Eight Ball.”

Tromboncino and Zucchetta

• Tromboncino and zucchetta are summer squashes, although they are varieties of Cucurbita moschata, the same species that butternut squash – a winter variety – belongs to. For this reason, these summer squash grow on vines as opposed to bush-type plants. Tromboncino and zucchetta squash are slower growing than other summer varieties; however, they offer greater resistance to common pests including the squash vine borer. Common cultivars include “Trombetta di Albenga” and “Zucchetta Rampicante.”