Turban squash

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Cucurbita maxima
Turban squash.JPG
Turban squash
Species Cucurbita maxima
Cultivar Turban
Origin Northeastern United States[1]

Turban squash, also known as "Turk's turban" or "French turban" ("Giraumon" in French), is a type of squash most often used as a winter squash. It is an heirloom, predating 1820.[2] A cultivar of Cucurbita maxima, it is closely related to the buttercup squash.[3] It is typically 6 pounds when mature.[2] Colors vary, but are often mottled in shades of orange, green, and white.[3] The squash is used as both a vegetable and as an ornamental gourd.[4][5] Taste is similar to other C. maxima cultivars, though "not as vibrant,"[4] "reminiscent to hazelnut,"[3] and "coarse, watery and insipid."[6] Known in the nineteenth century as "the most beautiful in color, and the most worthless in quality, of all the varieties of squash;"[6] selective breeding since then may have improved the flavor.[7]


  1. ^ Andersen, Craig. "Summer Squash" (PDF). Home Gardening Series. University of Arkansas Agricultural Extension. Retrieved 16 May 2013. 
  2. ^ a b Schrager, Victor (2004). The Compleat Squash. Artisan Books. p. 61. 
  3. ^ a b c Stradley, Linda. "Types of winter squash - The most popular winter squash varieties available". What's Cooking America. Retrieved 15 May 2013. 
  4. ^ a b Sharrard, Jesse (2 November 2006). "Super winter squash is not as tough as it seems". Pittsburg Post-Gazette. Retrieved 15 May 2013. 
  5. ^ Wyman, Donald (1986). Wyman's Gardening Encyclopedia. Scribner. p. 277. 
  6. ^ a b Gregory, James J. H. (1893). Squashes: How to Grow Them. Marblehead, Mass. 
  7. ^ Meatless Mondays: Roasted Turk’s Turban Squash and Onions With Tahini Dressing