Zucchini plant: description, characteristics of varieties and their beneficial properties. Zucchini - description, photo, characteristic features Round green zucchini

Before choosing a suitable variety of zucchini, you need to decide whether it belongs to one species or another. But distinguishing one vegetable from another can be difficult. That's why we've prepared a small guide to the types of zucchini.

There are more than a hundred varieties of zucchini, bright yellow and dark green, short and long, smooth and rough, straight and curved. In this vast family of pumpkin crops there are types and varieties for every taste and therefore now is the time to find out which ones are better or worse and how they differ from each other.

Types of zucchini

Zucchini is a rather specific vegetable. On the one hand, it is a type of pumpkin, and on the other hand, it has the characteristics of many other edible plants. At the same time, zucchini is a type of thick-walled berry (like a cucumber or watermelon). Therefore, in summer cottages and counters you can find a huge abundance of zucchini of various sizes, colors and shapes. Now we will recall the main varieties of these crops.

1. Zucchini

Zucchini can be yellow or dark green with or without pale green stripes. The zucchini is medium-sized and elongated, flattened on the sides. The peel is medium thick, smooth and shiny. The pulp is medium hard, juicy with a moderate taste without sweetness. As a rule, zucchini grow to the size of a massive club, and many gardeners even strive for such “records.” But it is still better to grow zucchini varieties that are not massive in size, since the larger the vegetable, the more water it contains.

2. Patisson

These "UFO zucchini" are the easiest to distinguish from the rest due to their unusual shape. They can be any color (from pale to green) and have a jagged “superstructure” along the diameter of the fruit. The pulp of squash is tougher and denser than that of other varieties of squash, and this is good for culinary experiments and processing at high temperatures. It is especially good to stew squash with meat and chili pepper.

3. Kruknek

Wryneck pumpkin is another name for this vegetable with a convex base and a thin curved top. They are usually bright yellow in color, and the structure of the peel can differ: there are both smooth varieties and those covered with warts. The density of the pulp also depends on the specific variety.

4. Hybrid Delicate marshmallow

This subspecies of zucchini is the easiest to recognize - it has a two-color color - a green base and a yellow top. Despite its name, this squash is as tough as squash, making it great for long stews or roasting, and its proper shape allows it to be cut into neat slices.

5. Kouza squash

This type of squash is mainly grown in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Mexico. They are usually pale in color, but variegated green varieties are sometimes found. The skin of zucchini is thin, and the flesh is slightly sweeter than other varieties of zucchini. But in shape they are no different from their “plump” counterparts.

6. Round zucchini

These sphere-shaped "pumpkins" can be any shade of green or yellow (in the latter case, they resemble grapefruits). Chefs find very unusual uses for these vegetables - the top part of the fruit is cut off, the pulp is scraped out, and the resulting hollow ball is used as a container for soups or other dishes.

7. Tatum

An exotic variety of zucchini that is found primarily in Mexico. The shape of the zucchini can vary from absolutely spherical to elongated. The color is dominated by two shades - light or dark green. Among the features of this subspecies, we highlight thin skin and a large number of seeds.

8. "The Fat Man from Nice"

The French gave this zucchini a not very flattering nickname, but they did it more out of great love for this variety of pumpkins. In fact, round zucchini has a pleasant sweet taste and tender flesh, and it is not so easy to find them on the shelves.

9. Indian apple – tinda pumpkin

A pale green pumpkin with an absolutely smooth and shiny skin more closely resembles a giant apple or tomato. And indeed, the Indian guest stands somewhat apart from his relatives and at the same time has delicate creamy-white squash pulp with a unique taste.

10. Luffa

Last on our list is a unique gourd vine - luffa, or natural loofah. Its fruits are elongated and cylindrical, dry and fibrous inside with many seeds. Unfortunately, they are practically unsuitable for food, but they make excellent homemade washcloths, water filters, soap or oil. There are also edible varieties, but they grow in regions with subtropical and tropical climates.

Now you can definitely choose the most suitable type of zucchini for your plot and confidently choose vegetables on store shelves. As you can see, this culture has many varieties, but they all have one thing in common - huge culinary potential.

Zucchini is one of the most favorite types of vegetables in summer cottages; they decorate the garden and grow well even among novice gardeners. The modern diversity of species, varieties and hybrids of this crop makes it possible to achieve good yields even in regions of unsustainable agriculture.

The most popular and productive zucchini - names and descriptions

Modern varieties and hybrids of zucchini differ in the shape and color of the fruit, type of growth, characteristics of fruiting and the speed of harvest ripening.

Bush zucchini

Typically, bush varieties mean those that grow in a compact bush with a stem no more than 20–30 centimeters. But sometimes short-climbing varieties, forming from one to three vines up to 1 meter long, are also classified as bush varieties. The smallest bush without lateral vines is found in the varieties Roller, Anchor (these two varieties also produce few leaves), Tsukesha, Zebra, and Zheltoplodny. Varieties Zolotinka and Pharaoh often form short vines of half a meter. The bush type also includes the Dutch hybrids Iskander F1, Sangrum F1,. Of the group of spaghetti squash, the Russian Spaghetti variety has the most compact bush; other varieties of this type produce canes of a meter or more.

Bush varieties of zucchini take up little space

With an excess of nitrogen fertilizers, all varieties of zucchini form lush tops to the detriment of fruiting.

If a zucchini bush produces too many leaves, the oldest of them can be removed without harm to the plant by cutting them off at the base so that they do not interfere with caring for the plant and collecting fruits. First of all, remove damaged leaves and those in contact with the ground.

Dutch zucchini selection

Many gardeners are trying to purchase advertised Dutch zucchini seeds. However, such seeds, especially first-generation hybrids (indicated by the symbols F1 after or before the name), are much more expensive than ordinary ones, and in terms of yield they do not differ much from the best Russian varieties. In addition, Dutch zucchini is more capricious. For normal growth and high yields they require:

• well-cultivated fertile soil with a deep arable layer and high humus content;
• uniform hydration;
• stable warm weather without sudden temperature changes.

Among the Dutch hybrids, the most popular in Russia are Sangrum F1 and Cavili F1.

Iskander F1

Early ripening hybrid (about 38–40 days from germination to harvest). Plants have a compact bush-like form. The leaves are medium and large, medium-dissected, green with white spots. The fruits are club-shaped, light green with light specks, medium-sized, weighing about 0.7 kg, very tasty. The usual yield reaches 6–9 kg per square meter.

Zucchini Iskander F1

Sangrum F1

Early ripening hybrid (about 38–40 days from germination to harvest). Plants have a compact bush-like form. The leaves are small or medium-sized, strongly dissected, dark green with very noticeable whitish spots. The fruits are cylindrical, light green with whitish specks, medium-sized, weighing 0.5–0.7 kg, very tasty. Fruiting is friendly. The usual yield reaches 4–5 kg per square meter.

Zucchini Sangrum F1

Cavili F1

Early ripening hybrid (about 40–42 days from germination to harvest). Plants have a compact bush-like form. The leaves are small or medium-sized, heavily dissected, dark green with white spots. The fruits are cylindrical, whitish or light green, with specks, medium-sized, weighing 0.4–0.7 kg, very tasty. Fruiting is friendly. The usual yield reaches 4–5 kg per square meter. Under stressful conditions (hot or rainy weather, lack of pollinating insects) it is capable of partial perthenocarpy - the formation of a certain number of fruits without pollination. Recommended for growing in garden plots and private farms in all regions of Russia.

Zucchini Cavili F1

Parthenocarpy in zucchini

In plant growing, there are several similar terms, confusion in which often causes various misunderstandings:

• Self-pollinating - fruits are formed when pollen is transferred from the stamens to the pistil within the same flower. In principle, self-pollinating zucchini does not exist; their male and female flowers are located separately.
• Self-fertility is the ability to form fruits when pollinated by pollen from the same plant. All zucchini have a rather low self-fertility, so it is advisable to have at least two plants on the plot for cross-pollination, especially when growing exotic species (lagenaria, nutmeg) that are not pollinated by ordinary zucchini.
• Female type of flowering - means that the plant produces more female flowers than male ones (for example, in the varieties Anchor and Pharaoh). Pollination occurs in the usual way. If all the flowers are only female, pollination and fruit formation will not occur.
• Parthenocarpy is the ability of a plant to set fruit without pollination at all. In everyday conversation, “self-pollinating” or “self-fertile” zucchini refers to parthenocarpic varieties.

Female (with ovary) and male flowers of zucchini are easily distinguished already in buds

Parthenocarpic zucchini is very rare. As of June 2017, reliable official sources note the manifestation of parthenocarpy (and then only partial) only in the Dutch hybrid Cavili F1. In the old archives of gardening forums (2008–2011), the parthenocarpic hybrid Parthenon F1, which existed at that time with dark green fruits, produced by the same Dutch company, is mentioned. However, now the seeds of the Parthenon F1 hybrid are not produced; there is no information about it even on the Dutch website of the manufacturer. It was excluded from the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for use in the Russian Federation more than 6 years ago. Accordingly, real high-quality seeds of this hybrid are not currently on sale. They sell either the remnants of old seeds that have lost their germination, or even a mismatch of unknown origin.

Cavili is not a variety, it is a hybrid (Cavili F1). Originator and manufacturer Nunhems (Holland). All the rest are just packers and re-sellers. In the original packaging, it is sold only to farmers (a hobbyist does not need 1000 seeds). So there is no point in chasing Kavili from Search or anyone else. Choose any manufacturer whose honesty you have no doubt about. The same manufacturer has a magnificent dark green hybrid, Parthenon F1, which was excluded from the state register a couple of years ago. And if the variety/hybrid is not in the register, you cannot sell the seeds. 07 October 2011

https://forum.tvoysad.ru/viewtopic.php?t=3864&start=225

Planted Cavili and Parthenon. Cavili is very compact, early ripening, prolific, tasty. Parthenon is more spread-out, ripens a week later than Kavili, in my opinion, tastier and more productive. Both go great in preparations and for food. I planted both for 2 years. 02/13/2008

Alina

http://forum.prihoz.ru/viewtopic.php?t=1845

The best high-yielding Russian varieties

Russian breeders have created excellent varieties of zucchini, ideally adapted to the difficult soil and climatic conditions of different regions of Russia. In terms of productivity, these varieties are not inferior to fashionable Dutch hybrids, differing favorably from them in being less capricious. Many of the Russian varieties have relative cold resistance, maintaining normal growth and development during long periods of cool weather with temperatures around +10..+15°C.

There are no zucchini that can withstand freezing. At a temperature of -1°C, absolutely all varieties die.

Video clip

Very early ripening variety (about 32–38 days from germination to harvest). The plants are very compact, bush-like, with few leaves. The leaves are not dissected, green without spotting. The fruits are cylindrical, weighing 0.7–1.3 kg, tasty. The color of the fruit at ripeness is whitish-greenish, and white when the seeds ripen. The usual yield reaches 6–8 kg per square meter. The most hardy and cold-resistant variety. Recommended for northern regions.

Zucchini Roller

Anchor

Early ripening variety (about 37–40 days from germination to harvest). The plants are very compact, bush-like, with few leaves. The leaves are not dissected, green without spotting. The fruits are cylindrical, slightly tapering towards the stalk, weighing 0.7–1.2 kg, tasty. The color of the fruit at ripeness is whitish-greenish, and yellow when the seeds ripen. The usual yield reaches 7–10 kg per square meter. Not disease resistant enough.

Zucchini Anchor

Beloplodny

Early ripening variety (about 36–44 days from germination to harvest). Bush-shaped plants. The leaves are not dissected, dark green with clearly visible white spots. The fruits are cylindrical, slightly ribbed at the base, weighing 0.7–1.1 kg, tasty. The color of the fruits at ripeness is whitish-greenish; when the seeds ripen, they are white or yellow. The usual yield reaches 7–10 kg per square meter. Not resistant enough to fruit rotting.

Beloplodny zucchini

Tsukesha

Early ripening variety (about 40–45 days from germination to harvest). Bush-shaped plants. The leaves are large, dissected, dark green. The fruits are dark green with small specks, cylindrical, slightly tapering at the stalk, weighing 0.8–1.1 kg, very tasty. The usual yield reaches 11–12 kg per square meter.

Zukesha's zucchini

Pharaoh

Early ripening variety (about 39–43 days from germination to harvest). The plants are bushy or semi-climbing, forming 1–2 vines no more than 50 cm long. The leaves are medium-sized, dark green, sometimes with faint white spots. The fruits are cylindrical, dark green with small specks, weighing 0.8–1 kg, very tasty. A variety with a predominance of female flowering type. The usual yield reaches 6–9 kg per square meter, under temporary film covers up to 15 kg. It has relative cold resistance and increased resistance to fruit rotting. Large ripe fruits can be stored in a cool room until March.

Zucchini Pharaoh

Zebra

Early ripening variety (about 40–45 days from germination to harvest). Bush-shaped plants. The leaves are medium and large, green, strongly dissected. The fruits are cylindrical, dark green with pronounced longitudinal light green stripes and uneven spotting, medium-sized, weighing 0.9–1.2 kg, very tasty. The usual yield is about 7 kg per square meter. Zoned in the Central Black Earth region for personal subsidiary plots and garden plots.

Zebra zucchini

Table of comparative characteristics of varieties with white and green fruits

Unusual exotic zucchini

Zucchini varieties with yellow fruits are very popular among amateur gardeners. They are slightly more heat-loving compared to conventional varieties.

Yellowfruited

Russian variety of early ripening (about 40–50 days from germination to harvest). Bush-shaped plants. The leaves are large, strongly dissected, dark green. The fruits are bright yellow (sometimes some plants produce two-colored yellow-green fruits), cylindrical, slightly tapering towards the stalk, weighing 0.7–1.4 kg, very tasty. The usual yield is from 5 to 12 kg per square meter.

Zheltoplodny zucchini

Golden

Russian variety of early ripening (about 40–50 days from germination to harvest). The plants are bushy or semi-climbing, forming 1–2 vines no more than 50 cm long. The leaves are medium-sized, dark green with faint white spots, heavily dissected. The fruits are cylindrical, bright golden yellow, weighing 0.6–1.3 kg, very tasty. The usual yield reaches 5–7 kg per square meter. Recommended for cultivation in garden plots and private farms in all regions of Russia.

Zolotinka zucchini

Krukneki

In foreign countries, crookneck squash with original fruits curved at the base are very popular. The fruits are most often yellow in color of varying degrees of intensity, with smooth or bumpy skin. There are no zoned commercial varieties of this group in Russia yet; for amateur plots, the Russian bush variety Zolotoy Scallop with lumpy fruits weighing 1.5–2 kg, ripe for harvesting 60–65 days after germination, is offered.

Golden Scallop Crookneck

I planted this Golden Scallop variety this year for the first time. I sowed only two seeds and grew them through seedlings in peat pots. I planted seedlings with two leaves in the ground. The plants grew powerful, bush-shaped, with a large number of ovaries. We tried the first fruits in early July (on the 60th day). Very unusual fruits - the tail is hooked, and the surface is lumpy, light lemon in color. The fruits do not outgrow for a long time, the flesh is crisp, very tasty when raw, with a nutty flavor, and can be put in a salad instead of cucumbers.

Svetlana Yurievna

http://irecommend.ru/content/ochen-rekomenduyu-37

F1 Festival

A very original hybrid with almost round ribbed fruits of variegated color. In Russia, due to a misunderstanding, it is classified as zucchini, although in all foreign catalogs similar varieties are classified as hard-barked pumpkin of the Acorn variety. These plants are usually short-climbing, medium or medium-late ripening.

Zucchini Pumpkin Festival F1

Ball

Russian variety with a medium-early ripening period (about 50–55 days from germination to harvest). Bush-shaped plants. The leaves are medium-sized, dissected, light green with white spots. The fruits are round, light green with specks, weighing 0.7–1.8 kg, very tasty. The usual yield reaches 4–11 kg per square meter.

Zucchini Ball

Bosun F1

Russian hybrid of early maturation (about 44–46 days from germination to harvest). Bush-shaped plants. The leaves are medium-sized, strongly dissected, green with white spots. The fruits are almost spherical, dark green, weighing 0.7–2.4 kg, very tasty. The usual yield reaches 6–10 kg per square meter.

Zucchini Boatswain F1

Spaghetti squash

A fashionable and original group of varieties with unusual fruit consumption. Fully ripened fruits are cut in half, peeled from seeds and baked whole in the oven for 20–30 minutes, as a result of which their pulp breaks down into individual fibers, similar to spaghetti pasta.

Ripe fruits of spaghetti squash crumble into fibers when baked

Unripe fruits do not form fibers; they are used like ordinary zucchini.

Most varieties of this type are climbing plants with late-ripening (80–100 days) wide-oval fruits of cream or pale yellow color, weighing 1–2 kg. The most compact and earliest in this group is the Russian spaghetti variety. Its beautiful yellow-green fruits weighing about 0.6–0.8 kg ripen in 60–75 days, and the average yield reaches 6–7 kg per square meter; this variety is recommended for growing in garden plots throughout Russia.

Russian spaghetti is the earliest and most compact variety of the spaghetti squash group.

Nutmeg (Nut, Pear) zucchini

Also, due to a misunderstanding, short-growing varieties of butternut squash are sometimes classified as zucchini. They have pale orange-cream fruits with a very characteristic pear shape, slightly ribbed or smooth, weighing 1–2 kg, with bright orange flesh. These are very heat-loving plants, growing normally only at temperatures above +25°C. The earliest of these varieties require at least 80–90 days to mature. They bear fruit well only in the southern regions.

Walnut and Pear-shaped varieties of zucchini - varieties of heat-loving butternut squash

How to get small zucchini

The only way to obtain small zucchini with underdeveloped seeds is to timely collect the set fruits, at least 2-3 times a week, this also contributes to a significant increase in yield. The expression “fruits do not outgrow” found in catalogs means one of two things:

• even relatively long fruits of half a meter retain a thin skin for a long time; seed development begins very late (most green and yellow zucchini squashes);
• The growth of fruits in length quickly stops, the fruits remain short, but at the same time the development of seeds and hardening of the skin (white and) begin early in them.

To keep the zucchini small, they are harvested 2-3 times a week.

General principles of cultivation

Zucchini seeds are sown in a well-fertilized bed (a bucket of humus or half a bucket of manure per 1 square meter) after the end of spring frosts, when the soil warms up to +20°C. Sowing time is from late April in the south to early June in the north. You can sow under film 1–2 weeks earlier. The sowing distance is 70–90 cm, sowing depth is 2–5 cm. 2–4 seeds are sown in each hole, so that 1–2 best plants are left later. Excess shoots are carefully cut off at the root so as not to damage the root system of the remaining plants when they are pulled out.

Sow several seeds in one hole to leave 1-2 best plants

When directly sown in the ground, zucchini grows more powerful and healthy, with a deep root system, and can more easily withstand drought and cold weather, so direct sowing is always preferable to growing seedlings.

When watering, only moisten the soil around the plants, avoiding water getting on the leaves and fruits.

During the season, the zucchini bed is regularly weeded to remove weeds, the soil is loosened, and if there is insufficient rain, a bucket of water is poured onto each planting site. When watering, only moisten the soil around the bushes, preventing water from getting on the leaves and fruits.

Video about growing zucchini in open ground

Novice gardeners often make the mistake of mistaking the natural spotted color of the leaves of some varieties for a manifestation of a disease. In fact, they are quite easy to distinguish:

• natural coloring - uniform on old and young leaves, without signs of drying out;
• downy mildew - begins with old leaves, random yellow spots and drying out of the edges;
• Powdery mildew is a white, washable powdery coating on the surface of leaves, with clearly visible pinpoint lesions.

How to distinguish natural leaf spot from disease (photo gallery)

Natural coloring of variegated varieties - uniform on old and young leaves, without signs of drying Downy mildew begins with old leaves, is expressed in random yellow spots and drying out of the edges True powdery mildew - a white washable powdery coating on the surface of the leaves, with clearly visible pinpoint foci

If the disease appears at the end of the season, no special treatments are required; if the disease develops early, it can be sprayed with Strobi. Next year, any crops except zucchini, pumpkin, cucumbers and lettuce are grown in the infected area. Zucchini does not have any special pests.

Features of agricultural technology and selection of varieties for different regions

Depending on climatic conditions, growing zucchini in different regions has its own characteristics.

Southern Russia and southern Ukraine

Summer is long, hot, and often dry. When watered 1-2 times a week, zucchini of absolutely any type and variety grows well. To preserve moisture in the soil, it is advisable to mulch with any available materials - wood chips, nut shells, black agrofibre.

In extreme heat, zucchini leaves often droop even in fairly moist soil, especially in varieties with wide, soft leaves. Varieties with hard, dissected leaves tolerate heat more easily.

Central Russia, northern Ukraine, Belarus

In cold spring, zucchini beds are covered with film a week before sowing to warm the soil

Southern Urals, southern Siberia

Summer is short, but hot and dry, with sharp temperature changes. When watered 1-2 times a week, most varieties grow successfully, except nutmeg and lagenaria.

North and northwest Russia (including the Leningrad region), northern and central parts of the Urals and Siberia

Summer is short, cool, cloudy and rainy. Early cold-resistant varieties can bear fruit in open ground. It is advisable to cover with film in the spring when sowing. In the fall, you can also protect from frost by installing arches and stretching the film. Late and heat-loving varieties, even in a greenhouse, produce a harvest only in favorable years.

A simple shelter made of arcs with stretched film will protect against spring and autumn frosts

Lagenaria - Vietnamese handsome man

Lagenaria (Vietnamese zucchini, Indian cucumber, gourd, calabash, dish or bottle gourd) is a very distant relative of zucchini, an annual tropical vine up to 10 meters long. It is very thermophilic and grows well at temperatures not lower than +20+25°C. Young fruits are edible, like zucchini.

Young fruits of long-fruited lagenaria are used for food, like ordinary zucchini.

Lagenaria seeds are sown one at a time in peat pots a month before the end of frost. For normal pollination you need to grow at least two plants.

Lagenaria seeds have a very hard shell, so it is better to germinate them before sowing

Before sowing, it is advisable to germinate the seeds by wrapping them in a damp cloth and placing them in a warm place. As soon as the root emerges a little, it’s time to sow.

Lagenaria seedlings are grown in peat pots

They are transplanted to a permanent place after the end of frost and the establishment of warm weather. It is best to plant it in the ground near the southern wall of the house, stretching a thick wire for support. The distance between plants is about 1 meter. During the first days, the planted seedlings are covered with agrofibre. In warm weather, lagenaria grows very quickly, forming a mass of pumpkin-like leaves.

Lagenaria leaves are similar to pumpkin leaves, but the flowers are white and open at night.

The white flowers of lagenaria open only at night and are pollinated by moths. For reliability, artificial pollination is recommended. Pollen from male flowers is transferred to female flowers with a brush or directly from flower to flower. It does not interpollinate with other pumpkin plants.

For reliability, lagenaria flowers are pollinated by hand

The ovaries of Lagenaria are covered with dense pubescence. You can cut off a part of a young growing fetus, and it will continue to grow after that. In the long-fruited variety, the fruits reach 2 meters in length.

Only a few ovaries will grow into large fruits, the rest will dry out and fall off

During the ripening process, the fruits harden and dry out.

There is also an inedible lagenaria with bitter, pitcher-shaped fruits.

The pitcher-shaped fruits of lagenaria are used for various crafts. Among these varieties there are many inedible!

Its ripe dried fruits are used for various crafts, vases, and mate dishes.

Mate dishes are made from ripe dry lagenaria fruits

I grew lagenaria last year. At that time, I wanted exotic things; the seeds were quite expensive. At the beginning of May, I kept the seeds without scarification (3 pieces) in a damp cloth, then planted them in a bucket of soil and in a greenhouse. The seedlings - 3 bushes - were very tall, 60 cm, when a month later, in early June, they were transplanted onto a manure ridge under an apple tree. Lagenaria very quickly entwined the entire apple tree, even faster than the thorny carp. It bloomed very profusely with large white flowers. By the end of August, three fruits had grown on it. Similar to long zucchini. I fried them with vegetables, the same way I usually cook zucchini. It turned out even tastier. But this year I have no desire to work with her. An ungrateful plant - a lot of tops, little harvest, flowers - so-so. If there was a gazebo that needed to be entwined with plants, then that would be it. Why give her the greenhouse for the whole summer?

Laura_27

http://forum.prihoz.ru/viewtopic.php?t=3436

Last year I planted lagenaria “Goose in apples”. Its fruits are edible, but I didn’t get them. I learned about night pollination late. It looked incredibly decorative. I pulled it out 5-6 meters, braided the entire shower and the barrel that stood at the top.

Svetlana

http://dacha.wcb.ru/lofiversion/index.php?t11853.html

Even in difficult climatic conditions, you can get excellent zucchini yields with an adequate choice of variety and competent agricultural technology. And in the southern regions favorable for this crop, any species and varieties, even the most capricious, bear fruit beautifully.

Yellow zucchini is usually classified as a herbaceous crop of the Pumpkin species, Cucurbitaceae family. We can say that it is one of the variants of the common pumpkin. This vegetable crop, on the one hand, looks great against the backdrop of greenish leaves, and on the other hand, it has the wonderful taste of zucchini, which is why they are used everywhere in cooking (fried, stewed, baked) and in a variety of types of preparations. So what are they, yellow zucchini? We will learn the variety, calorie content and other characteristics from this article.

What varieties of yellow zucchini are consumed fresh?

It can be said about yellow-fruited zucchini that it is not as widely in demand in the cuisines of the world as zucchini, which is widespread almost everywhere. And yet, they can be found quite often in various parts of Russia. The general characteristics are almost the same, and their description is as follows: yellow zucchini is much more fibrous than others, the structure of the ripe pulp, moreover, it is immediately clear that its skin is colored rather uniquely.

Gardeners and buyers prefer these zucchini over other types due to the fact that they look quite nice in appearance and their calorie content is low (only seventeen kcal per 100 g of pulp).

It should be noted that yellow zucchini has some varieties, but they all have a wonderful flavor - their flesh is sweetish and quite juicy. Taking into account such taste qualities, zucchini is allowed, but even recommended, to be consumed raw, because this is how it will be much healthier, and the human body will accept such food better.

Today, such zucchini are no longer considered exotic. Every summer resident can cultivate them on his own plot of land or garden. It should be noted that gardeners and vegetable growers prefer several of the most successful species.

Gold Rush F1

The fruits are golden-yellow in color, the length of the zucchini is about twenty centimeters, and the weight reaches 210 g; The pulp is quite tender, creamy-white in color. The advantages include the fact that this Dutch hybrid can be consumed both fresh and canned. Judging by the timing of ripening and yield, we can say that it is early ripening, and the yield is approximately 11.5 kilograms per square meter.

Goldline F1

The fruits of this type of zucchini are golden-yellow in color, they grow up to twenty to thirty centimeters, are smooth on the surface, and cylindrical in shape. The pulp of such vegetables is very sweet and juicy. Features include good yield. These fruits differ from others in their high carotene content. Experts recommend choosing predecessors for them from onions, potatoes, cabbage or legumes.

Sunlight F1

The fruits of these zucchini are golden yellow in color, their length does not exceed eighteen centimeters, and their diameter is only four to five. Their flesh is dense and white. You can eat them both fresh and processed. As for yield and ripening, this is a French hybrid form; it ripens early and its yield is quite high.

High-yielding yellow varieties

It is safe to say that it is the yellow-fruited squash that becomes the true pride of every gardener and the decoration of a plot of land. Its fruits, which have shades from light yellow to bright orange, look very original, besides, they have an excellent taste, and the flesh is mostly yellowish or yellow in color. The shapes and sizes vary among varieties, which often surprises gardeners with significant experience. Growing such vegetables is no more difficult than their green counterparts. Due to their undeniable advantages of both appearance and taste, and taking into account the ease of care, such fruits are gaining significant popularity from year to year.

Yellow squash is an excellent choice for canning. The taste is neutral, which is why such fruits are suitable for pickles, compotes, and even jam. In order to make preparations for the winter, it is better to pay attention to high-yielding varieties, because they are the ones that produce quite a decent amount of vegetables on a tiny square of soil.

Variety "Russian size"

This variety is considered Hercules among other zucchini. Even farmers and gardeners with extensive experience are surprised by such a significant size - it grows up to one meter in length, and on average weighs about thirty kilograms. With these data, it is difficult to predict overall vegetable yields.

For zucchini to ripen, a period of time of about one hundred days is required after the seeds are sown. These zucchini do not require special conditions: seedlings are grown in late April. But they are transferred to the ground when constant good weather arrives, when there are no longer frosts at night. These vegetables require the gardener to constantly water and feed them.

Zucchini of this variety have beautiful orange-pink flesh; it is quite tender and does not contain coarse fibers. These fruits are used for preservation and to prepare various culinary dishes.

Orange zucchini can be stored in winter for quite a long time.

Variety "Anchor"

This variety is considered an early ripening variety. For these vegetables to ripen, fifty days will be enough from the time the seeds are immersed in open ground. Such zucchini are quite resistant to both dry and cold weather. Thanks to this, despite the weather conditions, it is possible to obtain up to fifteen kilograms of harvest from just one square meter.

Seeds are usually sown in May and harvested until September. Experienced gardeners advise planting four plants per square meter.

Zucchini of this variety are yellow in color, quite large (weighing over nine hundred grams), the shape resembles a cylinder, their peel is thin, and the surface is smooth. A distinctive feature of this variety is the significant content of dry matter in the fruit pulp.

Zucchini squash "Zolotinka"

This variety has been grown in Russia for almost four decades. It is one of the first yellow squash varieties developed. Its obvious advantages include high yield, and the fruits do not lose their taste for a very long time.

This is a bushy and compact plant. About fifteen brightly colored fruits are usually collected from one bush. Since this is an early ripening variety, harvesting begins approximately 47-50 days from the day of planting.

Zucchini reaches a length of fifteen centimeters, the fruit weighs about half a kilogram. Vegetables are smooth and dense. Small fruits are usually used for canning. Due to its density and the fact that the flesh is juicy, it is similar to a cucumber, crunchy and sweet.

This variety of zucchini is perfect for feeding babies from one to seven years old. If it is used in the process of canning, the vegetable pulp does not lose its density, and its beautiful creamy color serves as a decoration for every winter preparation.

Unusual varieties of yellow zucchini

Yellow zucchini is a rather tasty vegetable, which is also healthy. In addition, in order to know the names of the varieties and what they are, it is necessary to clarify that both zucchini and yellow-fruited zucchini are bush varieties of the common pumpkin, only without vines and with oblong fruits. What unusual varieties of this vegetable are there?

Variety "Banana"

The variety is not very similar to the familiar bananas. In appearance, these are ordinary zucchini that grow about 35 cm. Some vegetable growers say that the fruits are formed, just like bananas, in bunches, while others say that the flesh is very sweet and crispy, it is fried and stewed in record time. Young mothers can feed their babies puree from such zucchini without fear, and the little ones will not have diathesis or allergies.

From the moment of germination to fruiting, 50 days usually pass. Zucchini is not picky. As a rule, if the fruits lie for a long time, they will lose their juiciness. The main advantage of the variety is the survival rate of seedlings and completely normal seed germination. But you should be wary of the fact that such zucchini is not resistant to powdery mildew.

Variety "Orange"

Among the variety of golden-colored vegetables, zucchini stands out « Orange » , which has gained great popularity among those who prefer yellow vegetables. Its shape and color are quite unusual and really look like an orange. Zucchini can be stuffed, since their diameter is about 17 cm. The variety is quite early; ripe fruits can be harvested only 40 days after the first pair of leaves appears on the bush.

Pear-shaped variety

This variety is early. It enjoys the sympathy of gardeners due to the fact that it has an unusual fruit shape - like for zucchini. And the color of the fragrant pulp is similar to pumpkin. It should be noted that this vegetable stores very well.

Variety "Spaghetti"

It turns out that it’s not a joke to say that there is spaghetti growing in the garden. Indeed, there is a variety of zucchini - “Spaghetti”: “Spaghetti Raviolo”, “Caruso” and several others, which are combined into the spaghetti group. They are short-fruited, oval in shape, cream or light green in color. If the fruit is not ripe, then it is impossible to see any original properties, but a ripe one, and even cooked in a special way, will turn into a heap of juicy fibers that are visually similar to a plate of pasta.

Variety "Pineapple"

Yield zucchini “Pineapple” is also one of the early-ripening varieties of this vegetable. The fruits are cylindrical, slightly elongated, and grow in about 40-45 days. They are dark yellow with orange hues, their average weight is 600-800 g. The flesh is strong and juicy, and the crust is soft and tender.

Zefir variety zucchini

This variety is unlike any other variety of this vegetable. It combines two colors: one half is yellow, and the other is greenish. It is considered a delicacy, its taste is sweetish and very delicate.

Variety "Golden Scallop"

The zucchini with the fabulous name “Golden Scallop” can boast the same non-standard and quite interesting appearance. The fruit is bright yellow. On its surface there are tubercles similar to the comb of a rooster (hence the name). Ripening is mid-season; in order to get the first harvest, you need to wait a couple of months. The fruits are large, about one and a half to two kilograms each. Zucchini yield is quite good. To feel its taste, which has a nutty tint, you should pick the fruits of “milk” ripeness, at the age of about seven days. Like other zucchini, this variety must be well loosened, fed and watered in a timely manner.

Nowadays, yellow zucchini is no longer uncommon. Gardeners who devote themselves to growing these particular vegetables can boast of a harvest of fruits in sunny tones. Perhaps, it will be enough to grow yellow-fruited zucchini just once to forever remain a fan of its good taste and understand how beautiful the dishes that are prepared with its direct participation look.

Nowadays, zucchini can be called the most popular vegetable that grows in garden beds. Its fruits have unique properties, which allows them to be used in the widest range. Zucchini is used for dietary and baby food. A variety of dishes are often prepared from them and used in preservation.

To grow squash bushes, you need to choose quality seeds.

For each area there is a suitable variety that can withstand the different vagaries of nature. The fruits of the plant can be of different shapes, colors, and lengths. The main advantage of all varieties of zucchini is that they produce constant, stable yields.

Before choosing planting material, it is necessary to determine the basic requirements for the zucchini variety.

The variety must:

• Match the region;
• Be very productive;
• Have good shelf life and transportability.

All varieties of this vegetable can be divided into:

• White or cream colored varieties;
• Hybrids with fruits of white, yellow, green and yellow-green color;
• Zucchini, which can be spotted, green or dark green.

Zucchini squash is characterized by increased juiciness and productivity. The fruits have thin skin and delicate light-colored pulp.

Zucchini comes in two forms: climbing and bush. They differ mainly in the size of the area over which they can grow. The bushes usually do not have large round leaves; instead, small carved ones grow. Basically, the taste and composition do not differ from traditional varieties. Both types of plants are suitable for growing both in open ground and in greenhouses.

Gallery: varieties of zucchini (25 photos)

Options for the Moscow region

For planting in the Moscow region, you can use zucchini, white zucchini, and hybrids.

They all have their pros and cons that must be taken into account when purchasing seeds.

Zucchini can be stored in a cool place for about a month. Compared to other varieties, they bear slightly less fruit.

The main feature of varietal zucchini is that they cannot be stored fresh for a long time, but are perfect for canning and freezing. Seeds for sowing can be collected from ripe fruit for the next year.

Hybrid varieties can produce large yields. But the peculiarity of this type of zucchini is that seeds are not collected from them for further propagation.

The best varieties for planting in the Moscow region are:

• White Bush;
• Iskander;
• Genovese;
• Golda;
• Cavili;
• Tsukesha and others.

It is best to plant plants by seed, as they germinate quickly and develop well in open ground. But if you want the early fruits of zucchini, you can grow several bushes in a greenhouse.

For central Russia

The following have proven themselves best for the climatic conditions and soils of central Russia:

Chaclun.

This variety is intended for cultivation in open ground. It differs from others in that the fruits ripen gradually one after another, thereby extending the fruiting period. Zucchini begins to ripen very early and continues to bear fruit throughout the summer. The first zucchini ripens within forty-five days after planting the seeds in the ground.

Bushes of this variety can grow very compact. The plant can resist various diseases and pests.

Young zucchini grows small in size and weighs up to half a kilogram. They have light green tender skin and light flesh. If you cut the zucchini, it emits a delicate, characteristic aroma.

The fruits of the Chaklun variety of zucchini are often used in canning, as well as for preparing various casseroles, pancakes, and other things.

Karizma. This variety is a hybrid and produces abundant harvests. Each bush can produce up to ten fruits weekly. When ripe zucchini is removed, new ovaries begin to form within a short time.

The bushes of this plant grow spreading, they form a large number of thick and strong shoots. Zucchini has an oblong shape and light green skin. The pulp is tender and aromatic, so it is often used for preparing various dishes, as well as for pickling.

The Karizma variety has early fruit ripening. The first harvest can be obtained at the end of May.

Unpretentiousness in care, good tolerance to various diseases and resistance to cold, make representatives of this variety favorites over other zucchini for growing in central Russia.

The fruits of this plant tolerate transportation well from one place to another and therefore can be sold throughout almost the entire country.

Skvorushka. This variety belongs to the Zucchini subspecies. It has distinctive features such as dark green thick skin and delicate light flesh.

The first fruits begin to appear on the bush within fifty days after planting in the ground. As a rule, several fruits ripen on one bush at the same time, which do not differ from each other in size. Often zucchini are about half a kilogram, but there are also larger ones.

Bushes of the Skvorushka variety grow large and very climbing. Their stems can be about three meters long each. They have a lot of ovaries, most of which do not develop properly. But nevertheless, the variety is considered very prolific.

It is customary to prepare squash caviar, salads, casseroles and many other dishes from Skvorushka variety squash. The fruits of this variety are well transported and stored outside the refrigerator.

Pharaoh. This is the most unpretentious variety of zucchini grown in central Russia. Plants tolerate low temperatures well and can bear fruit until early autumn.

The fruits of the Pharaoh variety grow large and long, they can weigh up to a kilogram. The skin is usually dark green, in some cases almost black.

The plant bears fruit for a very long time and produces large yields. In most cases, the fruits of this variety are used for canning.

White-fruited. This variety is best grown in greenhouse conditions, as it is very tender and susceptible to various diseases. Zucchini loves warm and moist soil; these conditions must be created for the plant to develop better. But the important thing is that in some southern regions, plants of the Beloplodny variety can be planted in open ground.

This zucchini is super early, as the first fruits ripen already on the thirtieth day after planting. The bushes are very compact, have small dark green leaves and form a large amount of ovary. The color of the fruit is usually white, which is where the plant gets its name. Zucchini grows up to one meter in weight. They are often used for consumption in their original form, and also as raw materials for preservation.

In some regions, they prefer to plant late-ripening zucchini, since the temperature remains quite low in the morning.

Unusual varieties of zucchini

In addition to traditional varieties that bear oblong fruits, there are also unusual types of zucchini.

They are distinguished by the unconventional color of their peel and pulp, as well as their taste and aroma. They are usually used for the same purposes as traditional varieties.

Spaghetti raviolo. These zucchini do not differ in appearance from the rest; their shape is slightly elongated and the skin has a slightly yellowish tint.

The bushes of this plant can grow large in size and have long spreading stems and foliage. With proper care, a large number of ovaries and subsequently fruits appear on the bushes of this variety of zucchini.

Each can grow to weigh about a kilogram or a little less. The main thing is to pick the fruit on time, since if you delay too much, the peel can become tough. If you cut such a zucchini, you will notice spaghetti-like pulp inside.

Zucchini of this variety have a unique method of preparation; their cooked pulp resembles spaghetti, but in terms of its beneficial qualities it is much healthier.

The fruits of this plant variety are often used for dietary purposes, as they are low in calories and contain a large amount of vitamins.

Zucchini of the Spaghetti Raviolo variety can be stored for about a year and during this time they can be used for food.

Calabash Lagendaria. This unusual variety is a very productive hybrid. The bushes, as a rule, grow in the form of vines, each of which can bear up to forty kilograms of fruit per season. But in order to get a large number of fruits, it is necessary to organize proper care for the plant.

Zucchini fruits are similar to a pear and have a fairly thick peel of a bright green color.

They taste no different from other zucchini and can be used in the same way.

It is important to ensure that the zucchini does not overripe, as this will make it inedible.

They are very fond of being used as materials for the preparation of various artistic fakes.

High-yielding plant varieties

Many gardeners dream of planting plants on their plot that will produce an unprecedented amount of fruit. There are several record-breaking varieties:

• Quand;
• Belogor;
• Black handsome.

By planting the seeds of these varieties in the garden, you can be sure that you will not be left without fruits.

The most important thing is to follow all the rules of agricultural technology, then the plants will not constantly get sick and be attacked by pests. Only in this case will it be possible to get a large harvest of tasty and healthy fruits.

What family does zucchini belong to? Zucchini is a relative of pumpkin, a herbaceous bush with oblong, early-ripening fruits - a regular in vegetable gardens.

Zucchini is a favorite vegetable due to its beneficial qualities, excellent taste and ease of cultivation. And there is no need to prove to the originals: zucchini is a berry or a vegetable. Of course, the vegetable is low-calorie, dietary, healthy for children and adults.

Wild and cultivated zucchini

It’s hard to even imagine a wild zucchini in the vastness of nature. Introduced a long time ago to Europe from America, and a little later to Russia, it not only took root on farms, but also became a permanent crop of cultivation, which means that breeders are working on developing new varieties and improving the already familiar ones. Therefore, if someone managed to see a familiar oblong fruit growing somewhere on the side of the road or clearing, then, most likely, it was an accidentally sprouted seed of a zucchini - a cultivated plant.

Zucchini

Characteristics

The diversity of the vegetable is manifested literally in everything: shape and color, size and speed of ripening, taste and yield, cold resistance and keeping quality. What a zucchini looks like depends on the shape and variety.

Plant shapes

• Climbing - liana branches crawl along the ground in different directions, and a rich harvest of high-quality fruits will be born on them. Occupies a significant area in the garden plot;
• Bush - a compact shrub with several stems directed upwards. The fruits are formed in the form of clusters. This form is indispensable in small gardens, where every decimeter of space is valued.

Fruit shapes: what a zucchini looks like

• medium cylinder;
• extended cylinder;
• oval;
• pear-shaped;
• round (brightly colored, variegated is also used as a decorative look);
• bent, crooked, curved (sometimes the shapes are the most bizarre).

Fruit size

• young, milky ripeness - the most tender and sweet, size up to 10 cm; When you press on such a zucchini, a drop of milky liquid will release. During this period, the vegetable contains the greatest amount of vitamins and other useful substances;
• ripe fruits reach 30-40 cm in length, while their taste remains at its peak;
• overgrown fruits - they are also called ripe, but the quality of the taste is blurred, vitamins and other nutritional elements fade, the peel becomes almost stone-like. The size can be huge. Bringing zucchini to this state is justified only when grown for seeds;
• small zucchini - these are easiest to get from the round varieties. There is no common name for small zucchini.

Zucchini fruit

Color palette

• White.
• Light green.
• Dark green.
• Almost black (with a green tint).
• Light yellow or golden.
• Yellow.
• Yellow-green.
• Orange.
• Beige.
• Striped (alternating light and dark green stripes).
• Variegated (covered with irregularly shaped spots).

As you can see, there are not only white and green, but also bright, decorative zucchini.

Fruiting dates

• Early ripening (harvest on 40-45 days).
• Ultra-early ripening (harvest on 35-40 days).
• Medium ripening period (harvest ready in 46-50 days).
• Late ripening (readiness on the 50th day or more).

Pollination methods

• Traditional, by insects (bees, bumblebees, wasps perform cross-pollination - the stamens from the male flower are transferred to the pistil of the female).
• Parthenocarpic (virgin) hybrids that do not require pollination, but such fruits are not suitable for further reproduction, since they do not have full seeds.

On a note: ophosh belongs to the Pumpkin family. The Kabachkov family does not exist.

The best varieties for the Middle Zone

Among the mass of high-quality varieties and hybrids, it is difficult to name the best, however, below are the most popular, time-tested among gardeners:

• Gribovsky (bush, early, productive);
• Belogor (bush, productive);
• Waterfall (late, dark green, suitable for canning);
• Zolotinka (late, highly productive, excellent taste);
• Tsukesha (bush, early ripening, productive, unpretentious);
• Zebra (bush, early, high yield).

The best foreign varieties

• Iskander (bush, early, very productive, more than 15 kg per bush per season, has good immunity to diseases);
• White bush (bush, early variety, yield 10-12 kg per bush, tasty cream-colored pulp, high shelf life, universal use);
• Cavili (early ripening, cold-resistant, immune to fungal diseases, high shelf life);
• Cannon (ultra-early ripening, very tasty, stores well, bears fruit all summer, is immune to fungal diseases, productive);
• Mary Gold (golden fruit of an early variety, the bush bears fruit until frost, good taste, resistant to diseases, universal use).

Zucchini: beneficial properties

The usefulness of a vegetable is dictated by its chemical composition. What vitamins are contained in zucchini?

• A, B, C, E, RR;
• Microelements - iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus;
• Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids;
• Cellulose;
• Sahara.

All this has a healing effect on the digestive system, metabolism and skin condition.

The vegetable is actively used in dietary nutrition, and is useful for both adults and children.

Zucchini is useful for both adults and children.

A woman during pregnancy also needs zucchini dishes. The diuretic ability of the vegetable will help get rid of the edema that some expectant mothers suffer from.

Zucchini is also included in the diet of infants in the form of vegetable puree.

Beneficial effects on the body:

• The mildness of the taste and light consistency do not irritate the walls of the stomach and intestines;
• Has a diuretic effect;
• Removes metal salts and toxins from the body;
• Reduces cholesterol;
• Fights swelling;
• With the help of zucchini, proteins are better absorbed.

Application in medicine

Diseases for which eating zucchini is indicated: cardiovascular diseases (potassium and magnesium content contributes to the normal functioning of the heart);

• the occurrence of edema (for various reasons);
• diseased liver, stomach and intestines;
• problems with blood composition;
• weakened immune system;
• joint inflammation;
• presence of helminths;
• kidney diseases;
• diabetes;
• dry skin.

There are many cooking methods: fried, stewed zucchini, stuffed (where you can stuff large pieces of zucchini with dense pulp with various fillings), canned, baked (for example, with cheese), even boiled! For long-term fresh storage, it can be frozen. Also everyone’s favorite recipes for vegetable salads with fresh zucchini and zucchini pancakes.

No less interesting is the recipe for a medicinal cocktail for helminths, when pumpkin and squash juice are mixed in equal proportions and drunk on an empty stomach.

Important to remember! Fresh, raw zucchini or zucchini will bring the greatest benefit. Their most valuable qualities (vitamins and microelements) will not be destroyed by heat treatment.

By the way, young fruits have a special taste and are full of nutrients and beneficial substances. They are not roughened, their skin is thin, it does not need to be peeled off. There are no seeds in such small fruits, so the core does not need to be removed.

Indications and contraindications

Benefit

The usefulness of zucchini is appreciated. They have established themselves as an indispensable dietary dish for all ages - a small child and an old man, a pregnant woman and a person after a long illness enjoy eating a healthy vegetable.

Even babies get zucchini puree, as the most hypoallergenic vegetable!

Zucchini puree

Harm

Only people suffering from urolithiasis are contraindicated. The diuretic properties will be harmful if they cause stones to move forward. Therefore, people suffering from this disease should definitely consult their doctor.

Note! And one more category of patients who should use zucchini with caution: with gastritis and stomach ulcers, they can only be eaten in processed form, but not raw.

Pests and crop care rules

In order to grow a rich harvest of healthy zucchini, you must follow certain rules.

1. Seed preparation (selection, soaking, disinfection).
2. Soil preparation (digging and fertilizing).
3. Compliance with crop rotation (it’s good if the space allocated for zucchini was occupied by potatoes last season; also, the crop will grow well after onions).
4. Carrying out proper watering, loosening, weeding.
5. Fertilizer application.
6. Use of chemicals when signs of disease or pest infestation appear.

Who harms the zucchini

Main enemies: spider mites, germ flies and melon aphids.

If, despite all preventive measures, insects attack the zucchini, then you will have to resort to drugs (the Iskra tablet) or folk methods (if a mite appears):

• pepper in the form of infusion;
• onion infusion;
• wood ash solution.

The easiest way to fight aphids is with Karbofos.

The sprout fly dies if you dig up the ground in the fall and add manure, as well as remove all plant debris.

It’s simply impossible to tell everything about zucchini. And to the question - what is zucchini - for starters, we can say that it is one of the best vegetables grown in the garden.