| Cucurbita moschata 'Tromboncino' | |
|---|---|
 Tromboncino summer squash, with blossoms
 | |
| Species | Cucurbita moschata |
| Cultivar | Tromboncino |
| Origin | Liguria, Italy |
Tromboncino (Italian: [trombonˈtʃiːno]), also known as zucchetta (Italian: [dzukˈketta]), is a type of squash most often used as a summer squash. While nearly all summer squash are cultivars of Cucurbita pepo,[1] tromboncino is a cultivar of Cucurbita moschata.[1][2] The vining growth habit[1][3] is similar to many winter squashes, but unlike most other summer squash.[1] It is more tolerant to some common summer squash pests, including squash vine borer,[2] squash bugs,[2] and powdery mildew, than the more commonly grown, bushy, C. pepo summer squash cultivars.[2] The plants are slower to start producing than some C. pepo types.[2] The fruit color is usually pale green, fading to beige upon maturity,[1] and it is picked around one foot long for summer squash. It is an heirloom,[4] originally from Liguria,[5] and remains popular throughout Italy and abroad.[1][3] Tromboncino squash can be left to mature into a winter squash; such is often compared to a watery[6] butternut squash.[7][5] If left to ripen, the fruits can grow over three feet in length.[4] Its flesh is delicious roasted or when prepared in a stew or soup.
Tromboncino is known by many other common names as well,[1] including: zucchetta rampicante,[5] zucchino rampicante,[1] climbing zucchini, climbing crookneck,[3] trombolino d'albenga, trombetta and serpentine squash.[5]
