Winter Squash, Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck
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Quick Overview
WINTER SQUASH, Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck –
Cucurbito moschata
FULL SUN AKA the ‘Neck’ pumpkin, this wonderful pie making pumpkin treasured by the Amish in Pennsylvania is probably Canada Crookneck introduced in 1834. The 5-8 lb. fruit borne on 6-8 ft. vines has a 6 in. diameter bowl from which emerges a 15-18 in. ‘neck’ that is 3 in. wide. The ‘neck’ is solid flesh and the bowl is nearly solid flesh. The flesh is full of flavor and incredibly sweet. The longer this pumpkin is stored, the sweeter it gets. Plant in late spring after danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to a depth of 6 in. Plant in hills, 4 ft. apart. When seedlings are 3 in. high, thin, leaving 4 plants per hill. Well rotted manure or compost dug into the soil where the seeds are to be planted is highly beneficial. Harvest fruits only after they are fully matured and just before the first frost. Remove from vine leaving part of the stem attached to the fruit. Store in a moderately warm, dry area.
| Type | Spacing | Planting Depth | Days to Germination | Maturity |
| Winter | 8 in. | 1 in. | 7-10 | 120 |
Winter Squash, Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck
Squash, beans and corn, known as the “Three Sisters” comprised the trinity that was the staple diet of ancient America. Unbelievably, remains of wild or, possibly, cultivated squash have been found in Mexico that date to 9000 BC. Similar archaeological evidence has been unearthed in South America, Central America and northern, North America. The wild varieties of squash were quite small and unpleasantly bitter tasting. Ancient peoples were not attracted to these vegetables for food. Instead, it is hypothesized, that ancient peoples collected the squash and dried them to make rattles and instruments for ceremonies and containers for storage and eating. Eventually, the ancient peoples came to appreciate and value the squash seeds which were rich in nutritious oils. After, perhaps centuries, ancient farmers began to select for and cultivate varieties of squash that produced pleasant tasting flesh.
The squash family can generally be divided into two classes – winter squash and summer squash – and fundamentally four species: c. maxima, c. argyrosperma, c. moschata and c. pepo. Of the four species, three represent both summer and winter squash. The maximas are exclusively winter squash.
C. moschata are native to the tropical areas of Central and South America. They grow best in high humidity and warm nighttime temperatures. The plants have very large leaves, long vines, and five sided stems. Butternut squash is a member of this group.
