Potimaron Squash

Potimaron Squash

(Curcurbita maxima)



Complex magic is often found in simple pairings:   Hepburn and Tracy.  Burger and fries.  Sinatra and Cahn.  Fresh crab and white Burgundy.  To that list I would add “Pottimaron and Carrot”.  The sweet chestnut-like squash flavor of Potimaron is a rich foil for the higher note of carrot.   Its “orange interpreting orange.”  Its fall in a spoon.  Its perfect.

Potimaron is a French winter squash that belongs to the C Maxima species.  The origins of the species lay in South America but they now have world-wide distribution of numerous varieties each with their own shape, color and table manners.  Coming from France you would predict a squash of taste and refinement.  And you would be correct.  Pottimaron (when properly matured and cured) are sweet, rich and with a distinct note of nuts, chestnut especially (the name “Potimaron” is derived in part from “marron” which means ‘chestnut’ in French).   

The plant is vigorous but not overbearing in habit.  In my garden, however, it seemed susceptible to any number of ailments.  Still, the young fruit were tasty as ‘quick picks’ and the mature fruit are already making eyes at my crop of winter white carrots.  This bodes well some magic in the soup bowl next month.  (Does anyone have a spare fine chinois?)

This Potimaron was organically grown in my garden in the Valley of the Moon.

Seed source:  Seed Savers

C Lindquist, 2007

Comments

[Ottawa Gardener]

I have grown this winter/summer squash because of its enticing description but found it plagued, more than others of its ilk, by cucumber beetle. The taste was good.