Distintos tipos de calabazas

Estos cultivos anuales de verduras son plantas trepadoras, escaladoras o arbustos de suculentas. Los frutos se cultivan para comer, para procesar aceite, o para recipientes. Los frutos se cosechan antes de la maduración de las semillas para consumirse frescos. Las variedades que se utilizan para producir aceite se cosechan cuando los frutos están completamente maduros y el tallo de la enredadera se ha secado. Las calabazas utilizadas para recipientes deben secarse en la vid hasta que las semillas estén sueltas y suenen como sonajero en el interior. Algunas variedades proporcionan flores y hojas jóvenes comestibles.

  1. Gac Momordica cochinchinensis

    Gac is a woody, perennial plant with vining stems reaching 6 m or more in length. Growing from tuberous roots, the vines are often seen climbing on fences or into the tops of trees. Its large (10-15 cm wide), dark green leaves have three to five lobes. Gac is dioecious, meaning that some plants...

  2. Calabacilla Cucurbita foetidissima

    Calabacilla, Ayote

    La calabacilla proviene de la parte sur-oeste de América del Norte.

  3. Cushaw Pumpkin Cucurbita argyrosperma

    Cushaw pumpkins are a herbaceous, vining, winter squash grown for the edible flesh and seeds. Flowers and tender shoots are also edible. The seeds are high in oil and protein and can be eaten roasted or ground up for an ingredient in sauces. The flesh is eaten as a vegetable and can be used in...

  4. Summer Squash Cucurbita pepo

    Summer Squashes are distinctive from all other squashes because they are eaten when they are immature. They grow on either vines or bushes with large leaves that are hairy underneath. They have smooth, edible skin, flesh that varies from light to dark green or yellow, and seeds that are soft and...

  5. Italian Edible Gourd/Cucuzzi Lagenaria siceraria

    This ItalianEdible Gourd, long cultivated in Italy, is believed to have its origin in India. The parent species, the Bottle Gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, is believed to have its origin in Africa.

  6. Tahitian Butternut Cucurbita moschata

    This winter squash has been cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas since Pre-Colombian times. Evidence of its use has been found in archeological diggings. It is a very old variety not often available through seed companies.

  7. Smooth Luffa Luffa cylindrica

    Luffas are vining annual plants that produce fruits for food and the luffa sponge. The fruits of Smooth Luffa are preferred for luffa sponges. Angled luffa, C. acutangula, is the preferred species for edible fruit.

  8. Angled Luffa Luffa acutangula

    Luffas are vining annual plants that produce fruits for food and the luffa sponge. The young fruits of Angled Luffa are edible raw or cooked. Although two species produce a fibrous skeleton in the mature fruit, Smooth Luffa (Luffa cylindrica) is the preferred species for the luffa sponge. This...

  9. Ivy Gourd Coccinia grandis

  10. Snake Gourd Trichosanthes cucumerina (syn. T. anguina)

    A vining annual vegetable crop. The plant produces a wavy cucumber-like fruit that is harvested immature and cooked like a squash. This crop is well suited to growth in the humid lowland tropics. The delicate vines need a trellis. The mature fruit turns orange or red when ripe and can be used in...

  11. CALABAZA DE CERA Benincasa hispida

    Calabaza De Cera

    Las calabazas de cera han sido cultivadas como alimento en las tierras bajas tropicales de China desde el año 500 DC. Esta hortaliza, que crece en enredaderas que pueden alcanzar los 2-4 metros (6-13 pies) de largo, es fácilmente cultivada como planta anual en las regiones templadas pero también...

  12. Bottle Gourd Lagenaria siceraria

    Bottle Gourds are typically grown for non-food use. The gourd is allowed to reach its full size on the plant and turned into a valuable container for grains or liquids. Mature fruits contain an extremely hard and waterproof rind when dried. The growing gourd may be constricted with bands to form...

  13. Caigua Cyclanthera pedata

    Caigua, Achocha, Pepino de Comer

    Caigua isan Andean fruit that grows on a climbing vine similar to cucumbers. The mature fruit is hollow and is often stuffed for cooking. The immature fruits and young shoots are eaten raw and cooked.

  14. Tropical Pumpkin Cucurbita moschata

    The Tropical Pumpkin originated in tropical South or Central America, possibly Peru or Mexico, and is now widely distributed throughout the tropics. Tropicalpumpkins are very well adapted to hot, humid conditions and the ripe fruits can be stored for months or even a year under dry well...

  15. Calabaza de los Seminole Cucurbita moschata

    Calabaza De Los Seminole, Calabaza De Los Seminole

    La Calabaza de los Seminole es nativa al sur de Florida, EEUU, donde crecía de manera silvestre. La cultivaban los indígenas de Florida y más adelante las tribus Miccosukee, Muscogee, y los primeros colonos Europeos. Los naturalistas notaron la presencia conspicua de las frutas de la Calabaza de...