PUMPKINS
and SUMMER SQUASHES - Cucurbita pepo
In the 1500’s both Spanish and French explorers
in the Americas thought they had come upon lavish plantings
of melons, both in the southwest and along the St. Lawrence
River.
These “gros melons” were
in fact pumpkins, a native squash. At the time squashes
were unknown in Europe and Asia, and melons did not
grow in the Americas. Though related to both melons,
cucumbers and gourds, squashes were American all the
way, probably originating in Mexico and Central America.
Pumpkins were not the only squashes there—native
Americans had been growing many different varieties
for generations. The Spanish carried what they found
back to Europe in the early 1500’s. By the 18th
century the Italians worked to develop and cultivate
the green-skinned, fingerling squash which became
“zucchini.”
In general Europeans did not grow squashes in any
numbers until the 19th century. The squash reached
Asia and North Africa in the 1600’s but little
is known of its history there.
Squash head Kachina, Pueblo Indians, SW USA
Raymond Parkett, artist
Navajo Sand Painting, artist unknown
Squash (shown in detail above) is one of four sacred
plants of the Dine people.
Corn, beans and tobacco are the others.
Squash blossom clay seed pot, Acoma Pueblo, New
Mexico, USA
N. Miller, artist
Various ceramic pots were used to keep seeds safe
until planting time.
The artist used a single yucca spike for a brush
to do the intricate design.
Squash Man political cartoon from 19th ct. France.
Cucurbitus is a reference to the scientific name
for the squashes.
Melons and cucumbers are in the same
family. Only the squashes originate in the
Americas.
Seed catalog cover, USA, 1899.
Squashes continue to delight us with their diverse
forms, colors and tastes.
Zucchini ballerina doll, USA 1980's.
Artist unknown.
Zucchini continues to be one of the easiest to grow
vegetables in the home garden.
Kazuzo Nakamura, photographer
Published in "Flowering Vegetables in Kyoto",1989.
Squash blossom to tiny gourd, four stages of growth.
Pumpkin field, USA, 1930's (photographer unknown)
Pumpkin pie eating contest. USA 1950's
Late 19th century children's book
Photo: http://www.pandpseed.com/wpc.htm
Established in 1983; the World Pumpkin Confederation
has been the force behind competitive gardening.
Peter & Paul Waterman set a new USA record of
465.0 lb. to initiate the worldwide event.
Visit
our Exhibit on Pumpkins & Halloween
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