Calabcita Curcurbita pepo
Calabacita at a wholesale market in Mexico City. There are two types of calabcita in this foto – a round type on the left and a zucchini type on the right. (Photo by Frank Mangan)
Calabacita, “little squash” in Spanish”, is a very popular type of squash in Mexico and some other Latin American countries. There are two basic types in Mexico: a round type and a type in similar shape to zucchini.
The varieties preferred by the Mexican markets are light grey in color; in English this type is sometimes referred to as “grey zucchini”.
Some of these varieties have a similar shape, color and texture of pipían , and are thus sold to Central Americans as pipían.
Different shapes, sizes and colors of calabacita at a wholesale market in Mexico City. The market prefers fruit lighter in color (on left). (Photo by Zoraia Barros) |
Production
For information on production and management of calabacita, refer to the The New England Vegetable Management Guide and click on "Pumpkin, Squash and Gourds".
Calabacita for sale at a market in Puebla Mexico. (Photo by Frank Mangan) |
