largest fruits of any plant. Most cucurbits
produce a particular form of berry called a
pepo, with a protective rind and a mass of
storage tissue containing many seeds. All of
them are native to warm climates, so they
suffer from chill injury if stored at standard
refrigerator temperatures. In addition to the
flesh of their fruits, cucurbits also offer edible
vines, flowers, and seeds.
Winter Squashes Winter squashes were
domesticated in the Americas beginning
around 5000 BCE. They are both nutritious —
many are rich in beta-carotene and other
carotenoids as well as starch — and versatile.
The flesh of most varieties is firm enough to
sauté or stew in chunks (fibrous spaghetti
squash is an exception), but once cooked it
also can be pureed to a very fine consistency;
and its moderate sweetness makes it suitable
for both savory and sweet preparations, from
soups or side dishes to pies and custards.