Squash, Summer 'Golden'
Cucurbita pepo
The bright golden-yellow hue of this open pollinated zucchini is everything. It's not pale, mellow yellow, it is pure golden-sunshine. It's the work of Dr. Oved Shifriss from the 40s and 50s. You can read more about it under Fordhook's description as the two are actually related! I had no idea when I first grew them, but no wonder I ended up loving them both :)
Not only is it stunning, this golden hue makes them easier to spot (i.e., no massive missed zucchinis). It’s also worth noting that this is a true zucchini. Usually, most yellow squash at the market is either crook neck or straight neck. They have fatter bottoms that taper toward the neck, slightly bumpy skin, and usually more seeds. Because this is a true zucchini, it has that more-slender form and smooth skin. Because it is typically quite slender, it lends beautifully to slicing into rounds. It retains yellow throughout the flesh, which provides a lovely presentation. This is also one of my earliest producers (which I assume is a trait it got from Fordhook), though it's not as prolific as other varieties.
These are perfect with Fordhook for my favorite dish: Provençal Summer Squash and Potato Gratin. Thinly sliced and baked low and slow for a crispy texture, with aromatic herbs and nutty cheese—is it summer yet?
If you want an impressive harvest of garden vegetables, grow summer squash! You probably only need one plant, but I'm that person who loves summer squash, so I grow a lot of it. I love the variety of shapes, sizes, and shades of green/yellow. I love that their versatility doesn't stop in the garden, either. If you're looking to add more veggies to your diet, look at summer squash and all it's possibilities. You can eat it raw or cooked. Shave it as the base of a salad or shred it for baked bread. Hollow it out and stuff it, or puree it into a creamy dip. You can fry it into crispy fries, or layer and bake it au gratin style. Toss it onto pizza or into pasta. Hells bells, you can literally turn it INTO pasta!
Packet contains approximately 20 seeds.
DETAILS
Plant type: Annual
Days to maturity: 57 days
Light preference: Full sun
Plant spacing: Plant spacing: 18–24” apart in rows 6’ apart
Hybrid status: Open pollinated
SOWING
Depth: 1/2-1 inch
Germination: 75–95°F
How to Grow
Sow indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out after danger of frost. Roots do not like disturbance, so we prefer to direct sow once soil temps are above 70 °F.
Harvest & Storage
Fruit: Cut or gently twist off fruits when they have reached the desired size. Harvest regularly, 2–3 times a week, once plants begin to produce. For some varieties, it is common for the first fruits to be malformed, wither, or blacken, which indicates poor pollination and is usually remedied as more male flowers appear. Keep fruit at 40–50°F, 95% relative humidity for up to 2 weeks.
Flowers (for culinary purposes): Harvest male flowers (thin stems) when fully open, leaving a few to pollinate the female flowers.
SHIPPING
FREE: $100 or more on any seeds
$3.95: 1–9 seed packets
$7.95: 10+ seed packets
