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.