Summer squash

Catalogue Type

Seed Catalogue

Scientific Name

Cucurbita pepo

Family

Cucurbitaceace

Distinguishing Characters

Seeds are similar to the seeds of pumpkin.
The seeds of C. pepo are variable in size.

Photo of Seed

Description

Seeds are high in protein, oil, and minerals (they contain 30% protein and 40–50% oil), and are eaten raw, toasted, or pressed to make oil.

C. pepo has numerous traditional medicinal uses: seeds are toasted and eaten to kill intestinal parasites; fruits are used as a diuretic and anti-diabetic; and a preparation of the flowers has been used to treat jaundice, measles, and smallpox.