Centenary squash belongs to the botanical family of Cucurbitaceae and is also known in Italy as prickly squash , Mexican squash or pumpkin or chayote . Centenary squash is an unusual vegetable to grow but due to its flavor and the shape of its fruits, it is gradually spreading in family gardens.
The centenary pumpkin ( Sechium edule ) produces fruits with a typical pear shape, 10 to 18 cm long, with grooves and a skin covered with rather pronounced prickles. Each spiny pumpkin weighs on average 200 grams and is light green in color, although some varieties are characterized by a yellow-ivory tint.
How to Grow Centenary Pumpkin
The prickly pumpkin adapts well to different types of soil, although it prefers looser ones and well endowed with organic substance. It can be grown throughout Italy, except in mountain areas because it does not tolerate cold climates: to grow the plant needs temperatures between 18 and 24 °C.
When to grow the centenary squash
The cultivation of the centenary squash can be started in the North when there is no longer any danger of frost: between the end of April and the beginning of May. In the Center-South, the Mexican squash is planted already at the end of March.
How to proceed with planting
Those who have fruit from the previous season can bury them slightly. If you do not have pumpkins from a previous harvest, these can be purchased from fruit and vegetable retailers. Planting must ensure that each plant has plenty of space: the prickly pumpkin grows abundantly, the plants must be placed at a distance of 2 meters between rows and 2-3 meters in the same row.
Since the vegetation is lush and each plant bears numerous fruits, the prickly pumpkin requires support structures: prepare a net (either plastic or electrowelded like those used in construction) at least 2 meters high. The ideal is to grow the centenary pumpkin near a dividing net or pre-existing reviews.
The centenary pumpkin is harvested from August to September-October, in southern Italy the harvest can continue until late November. To harvest the prickly pumpkins you will need to be equipped with scissors to cut the stalk, to handle these vegetables it is advisable to wear a pair of gloves. When the pumpkins are well ripe, they detach themselves (if you find some on the ground, do not throw them away, they could be good) or when just touched.
Cultivation of the centenary pumpkin is also very convenient in small gardens or for those who grow in pots: from a single plant it is possible to collect up to 100 fruits. If stored at a temperature of about 10 °C, the pumpkins can be preserved for several months. In the kitchen, the centenary pumpkin is prepared like other types of pumpkin.
