Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo var. pepo)^[1] is a variety of summer squash that may have been domesticated from two wild varieties; Cucurbita texana found in the southern and central United States and Cucurbita fraterna found in Mexico.^[2] The dark green spherical fruit, when fully ripe, is about the size of a tennis ball. The young fruit is often harvested before it is fully ripe when it has a more delicate texture flavor.^[3]

Gem squash is grown widely in South Africa, and is commonly served as a vegetable, often boiled or baked.^{[citation needed]}