#cucurbitamoschata

[hortushorrei]

Family Reunion at La Macchina Fissa! The Cucurbitaceae, an incredibly large and varied family, get together every September for a huge party. They look so happy that their mood is contagious. This weekend they will be going into Mantua for a tour. Come meet them at ORTI MANTOVANI Saturday and Sunday, September 25th and 26th, 10 am to 7 pm. #ortifelici #ortimantovani #cucurbitaceae #cucurbitamaxima #cucurbitapepo #cucurbitamoschata #pumpkinsandgourds #inmygardenthisevening #mezzogiardiniere #clarksgarden #ruralitalianhouses #clarkspumpkinparadise #paradisodellezucche #pumpkins #provinciadimantova #borgovirgilio #gyo #gardenersofitaly #iggardeners #septemberinitaly #septembergarden #cooperativalibraimantovani (presso La Macchina Fissa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUIZXezoVBC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[seedkeeping]

Lunga di Napoli! After I posted this photo of Courtney, Ryann, Amirah, and Annie on my “stories” I got a flurry of questions, so here’s more info taken from www.trueloveseeds.com where you can purchase the seeds: Lunga di Napoli Winter Squash is HUGE and flavorful. Feed your whole village on one of these fruits, which will store many months into the winter. They are delicious in squash fritters, risotto, and stews. Throughout Puglia and Campagna (places where my great grandparents were born), and also Sicily, Lunga di Napoli Winter Squash is featured in a soup called cianfotta or giambota, which can also include chili pepper, eggplant, tomato, pears and plums. As the same species as Butternut, these plants have strong stems and are much more resistant than your average squash to squash vine borers. The vines are quite long, and the largest fruit we grew this year was over 50lbs, though we hear they can even get larger! #lungadinapoli #cucurbitamoschata https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp3QvVSlEOP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17n527ablbsum

[seedkeeping]

Just a small handful of the Lunga di Napoli Winter Squash fruits sizing up! A deer knocked one immature (yet huge) fruit off a vine while chewing the leaves on the fence, so I split it in three and sent it home with apprentices. Zoe said it was nutty and surprisingly delicious. Throughout Puglia and Campagna (places where my Italian great grandparents were born), and also Sicily, Lunga di Napoli is featured in a soup called cianfotta or giambota, which also includes chili pepper, eggplant, tomato, pears and plums. #lungadinapoliofinstagram #cucurbitamoschata #lungadinapoli

[seedkeeping]

Lunga di Napoli seeds are now up on the website! If you are dreaming of warmer soils and warmer days, please take a mouth-watering and heart-warming vacation to www.trueloveseeds.com and start planning your garden while supporting the amazing farmers of Truelove Seeds.

Lunga di Napoli Winter Squash is HUGE and flavorful. Feed your whole village on one of these fruits, which will store many months into the winter. They are delicious in squash fritters, risotto, and stews. Throughout Puglia and Campagna (places where my great grandparents were born), and also Sicily, Lunga di Napoli Winter Squash is featured in a soup called cianfotta or giambota, which also includes chili pepper, eggplant, tomato, pears and plums. As the same species as Butternut, these plants have strong stems and are much more resistant than your average squash to squash vine borers. The vines are quite long, and the largest fruit we grew this year was over 50lbs, though we hear they can even get larger!

#lungadinapoli #italiansquash #cucurbitamoschata #heirloomsquash #italianheirloom #seedkeeping #seedsaving #cianfotta #giambotta #trueloveseeds

[seedkeeping]

Ok! Somehow today, I'm going to find a scale and weigh this Lunga di Napoli Squash. IN THE COMMENTS (on instagram only): Whoever (1) guesses the weight in pounds the closest and (2) tags the biggest plant nerd in their life will receive a $10 gift certificate to www.trueloveseeds.com. Lunga di Napoli Squash is the same species as Butternut, and can be used in similar ways. Throughout Puglia and Campagna (places where my great grandparents were born), and also Sicily, this squash is featured in a soup called cianfotta or giambota, which also includes chili pepper, eggplant, tomato, pears and plums. The plants survived and thrived despite a late frost, and the presence of cucumber beetles and squash vine borers. The fruits store throughout the winter months without the need for refrigeration, canning, or dehydrating, providing garden-grown produce for the colder months. #lungadinapoli #lungadinapolisquash #cucurbitamoschata #seedkeeping #cianfotta #giambotta #yeschrisgotmeaselfiestick

[seedkeeping]

Lunga di Napoli Squash is the same species as Butternut, and can be used in similar ways. Throughout Puglia and Campagna (places where my great grandparents were born), and also Sicily, this squash is featured in a soup called cianfotta or giambota, which also includes chili pepper, eggplant, tomato, pears and plums. The plants survived and thrived despite a late frost, and the presence of cucumber beetles and squash vine borers. Thanks to Uwa for the photo. #lungadinapoli #lungadinapolisquash #cucurbitamoschata #seedkeeping #cianfotta #giambotta (at Delaware County, Pennsylvania)

[seedkeeping]

Nine honeybees drink from a Lunga di Napoli Squash blossom. #lungadinapoli #squashblossom #honeybee #cucurbitamoschata #apismellifera #pollination #nectarbar #watercoolerlife (at Delaware County, Pennsylvania)

[seedkeeping]

Lunga di Napoli is a butternut squash relative from Italy that has been growing better than any other squash I planted this year, with lush, dark green, vigorous vines that have evaded insect damage and pulled down surrounding corn and amaranth as you see here. The fruits are humongous, and apparently their vibrant orange flesh is mild and delicate. We will see! #cucurbitamoschata #lungadinapoli #seedkeeping (at Delaware County, Pennsylvania)