Summer squash are a subset of squashes that are harvested when immature (while the rind is still tender and edible). All summer squashes are the fruits of the species Cucurbita pepo

Cucurbita pepo

The species Cucurbita pepo is a cultivated plant of the genus Cucurbita. It includes varieties of squash, gourd, and pumpkin.*Acorn squash*Delicata squash*Dodi marrow, grown in South Asia*Gem squash*Heart of gold squash*Pattypan squash...

(although not all squashes of this species are considered summer squashes), but they are considered vegetables in terms of culinary use. The name "summer squash" refers to the short storage life of these squashes, unlike that of winter squash

Winter squash

Winter squash is a summer-growing annual vegetable, representing several species within the genus Cucurbita. It differs from summer squash in that it is harvested and eaten in the mature fruit stage, when the seeds within have matured fully and the skin has hardened into a tough rind. At this...

es.

Summer squashes include:

• Cousa squash
• Pattypan squash
  Pattypan squash
  Pattypan squash, sunburst squash, cibleme in Cajun French and French, white squash, scallopini or button squash in Australian English, is a summer squash notable for its small size, round and shallow shape, and scalloped edges, somewhat resembling a small toy top, or flying saucer...
  
   (Scallop squash)
• Yellow crookneck squash
  Yellow crookneck squash
  Yellow crookneck squash is one of many cultivated Cucurbita pepo, the gourd species that includes zucchini and pumpkin. This is a variety of summer squash with bumpy, yellow skin and sweet flesh. Its name distinguishes it from its close relative, the yellow summer squash, which has a straight neck...
  
  
• Yellow summer squash
  Yellow summer squash
  Yellow summer squash is a type of yellow-coloured summer squash. It is also known as straightneck squash to distinguish it from its close relative, the yellow crookneck squash. It has mildly sweet and watery flesh, and thin tender skins that can be left on the fruit for many types of recipes...
  
  
• Zucchini
  Zucchini
  The zucchini is a summer squash which often grows to nearly a meter in length, but which is usually harvested at half that size or less. It is a hybrid of the cucumber. Along with certain other squashes, it belongs to the species Cucurbita pepo. Zucchini can be dark or light green...
  
  (courgette)

In the journals of Lewis and Clark, on October 12, 1804, Clark recorded that the Arikara tribe raised "great quantities of corn, beans, simlins, &c." "Simlin" and "simnel" were southern words for summer squash. He may have been referring to Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, crookneck squash.

External links

• Squash page