Squash , Marina di Chioggia (Circa 1600's Venice) An Italian beauty

Curcurbita maxima, An Italian beauty  (Circa 1600's Venice), Turban Group - Came from South America to the Venetian Republic in early 1600s, this celebrated heirloom found its lasting home near the coastal town of Chioggia, Italy. Producing large, flattened, turban-shaped fruits of dusty blue green, each adorned with bumps, warts & deep ribs & up to 10 lbs. Beneath its rugged exterior lies thick, deep orange flesh of remarkable sweetness. Splendid baked, roasted or transformed into pies & especially prized throughout Italy for gnocchi & other traditional dishes. The flavour continues to deepen & improve in storage, making it one of the finest keeping squashes, often storing for up to six months under good conditions. Dependable & productive variety of outstanding eating quality, Seed Count Approx - 6 avg 

  SOWING - (105 days) Squash will not germinate in cold soil & needs a warm spot, well-drained & fertile soil with plenty of composted organic matter to conserve moisture;. Planting should be delayed until soil has warmed (can be started in greenhouse mid March onward, plant out end Mayish),  Sow directly insitu after threat of frost has passed. Sow one inch deep in hills or rows spaced 24 to 36 in apart , Harvest just before frosts, when the stems dry & turn brown.