Le potimarron

I harvested one of our dozen or so potimarrons this week, just to see if it's ready. It's a little early for these squash, but they certainly look like they're ready. I'm thinking that it's the hot and dry weather that made them mature quickly. I'll cut this one open soon and we'll have a taste.

"Poti" comes from "potiron" which means pumpkin and "marron" is the word for chestnut.

These squashes are called "red kuri" in North America. According to Wikipedia, they originated in Mesoamerica, as most all squashes did. It's thought that they were exported to Japan as early as the 16th century by Portuguese sailors, where they became known as "Hokkaido" or "kuri" squash. I'm really simplifying this history, so if you're interested in more detail the internet can help you out.

Potimarrons are very popular in France and I do see them in the markets and supermarkets. They're pretty easy to grow in the home garden, too, which I've done a few times over the years. But this year has been the best year for them in our garden. They're a firm-flesh winter squash, similar to butternut, but with a nice chestnut-like flavor. Yum.