As the squash season begins and the markets are filling up with orange colors, we wanted to share with you some facts you might not know about this delicious vegetable.
History
Researchers have found evidence that humans have started growing and eating squash over 8,000. Most of the growth took place in America, in the entire era which stretches from the south part of Canada down to Chile and Argentina.
Family
Squash and melons are related! They are both considered as part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family, plants in this family are grown around the tropics and in temperate areas, where those with edible fruits were among the earliest cultivated plants in both the Old and New Worlds.
Health
Most types of Squash are loaded with vitamin A. A butternut squash, for example, can provide up to 457% of the daily value of recommended vitamin A. They also contain vitamin C, vitamin K and are a good source of protein.
Color
They don’t have to be orange! While we are mostly used to see the traditional pie pumpkins which are sold everywhere, there is a big verity of squash and they can come in different colors such as green, white, yellow, and red.
Terminology
The name squash comes from the Narragansett Native American word “askutasquash”, which roughly translates to “eaten raw or uncooked.”
