Zucchini Brillante F1 - Cucurbita pepo

The Organic Brilliant F1 Courgette is a vigorous non-trailing variety, fairly compact, semi-early and with a very good yield, highly resistant to diseases, particularly suitable for outdoor cultivation. In summer, the plant produces numerous cylindrical fruits with dark green, shiny skin. They keep well. The plant has a fairly open habit, which facilitates harvesting. It can be planted from April to July, after the last frosts, for a harvest from July to October.

NB: this variety is labeled F1 for  “F1 hybrid” as it is a variety resulting from the cross-breeding of carefully selected parents to combine their qualities. This results in a variety that can be particularly flavorful and/or early while being resistant to certain diseases. Sometimes criticized or wrongly associated with GMOs, F1 hybrid seeds are interesting both for their uniformity and their resistance but, unfortunately, their qualities do not pass on to the next generations: it will therefore not be possible to recover the seeds for later sowing.

Smooth, ribbed, warty, with tender skin, etc. squashes and courgettes offer us an astonishing variability of shapes, colors, and sizes, as they hybridize with disconcerting ease. That's why there are so many varieties.

In common language, winter squash refers to all kinds of pumpkins, potimarrons, butternuts, etc. with tough skin and delicately sweet flesh. By summer squash or courgettes, we mean the different varieties that are harvested when still young and with tender skin. The latter are consumed with the seeds.

They all originate from America and belong to the large cucurbit family. They were introduced to Europe in the 16th century.

• There are about ten species of squash, four of which are the most cultivated in our vegetable gardens. These are Cucurbita pepo, musk squashes, Cucurbita maxima, and finally Cucurbita argyrosperma.
• Cucurbita pepo: these are the most common in vegetable gardens and include certain pumpkins, courgettes, pattypan squashes, etc. They are generally recognized by their rigid, cut leaves and their angular peduncle with at least 5 ribs that do not widen at the point of attachment to the fruit.
• Musk squashes: they have soft leaves. The peduncle is very ribbed and visibly widens at the point of attachment to the fruit. The leaves take the shape of a heart.
• Cucurbita maxima: these are mainly pumpkins. Their peduncle is round and takes on a slightly spongy appearance. As the name of the species suggests, it mainly concerns large-fruited varieties. The leaves have 5 lobes.
• Cucurbita argyrosperma: very rarely found in our gardens, they have trilobed leaves and a thick, sturdy, and non-ribbed peduncle.

Often trailing, they cling to any support with their tendrils. Female flowers can be distinguished from male flowers by their inferior ovary (under the flower), which resembles an embryo of a fruit. In many regions, male flowers are harvested just after pollination to be eaten stuffed or in fritters. There are many ways to consume squashes and courgettes. Sautéed, fried, baked, in soups or stuffed. Courgettes are a key ingredient in Provençal ratatouille, Italian caponata, Maghrebi couscous, or many emblematic Mediterranean dishes.

Harvest: Squashes and courgettes are fruits that need a lot of water to bring out their best. Squashes will be better if harvested when ripe. Courgettes are harvested young and fresh, still immature. All should be handled with care and remain free from any cuts or bruises.

Storage: Courgettes can be cut into pieces and frozen. Their delicate skin is not suitable for storage as is. Winter squashes with tough skin can be stored for several months and consumed throughout the winter. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, they need warmth for optimal storage. There is no need to store them in a dark place, so you might as well keep them where their plump silhouette can be appreciated.

A gardener's tip: Place a slate board or tile under the fruit. It will no longer be in direct contact with the ground, thus avoiding rotting due to moisture. Similarly, they particularly like slightly moist soil. Remember to mulch around the plants, especially during the height of summer. Squashes and courgettes are very prone to powdery mildew (a fungal disease leaving a white fuzz on the surface of the leaves). Be careful not to water the leaves or flowers. Associate your squashes with alliums such as chives, onions, or shallots, or with legumes such as beans or peas. On the other hand, the marriage of squash and cucumber may be detrimental to both parties.