Fun Vegetable Trivia: Summer Squash

I'm so pleased that this trivia series has gotten so popular. How are you using what you learn on the blog?Before we introduce today's featured vegetable, let's catch up on the trivia we've covered so far...

• Apples
• Artichokes
• Butternut Squash
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Figs
• Kale
• Passionfruit
• Persimmons
• Pomegranates
• Spinach
• Starfruit

And now, just in time for summer squash to overrun us all, here are a few facts about one of summer's favorite vegetables...Fun Fact #1: People in France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand all call summer squash "courgettes."Fun Fact #2: The word “squash” comes from the Narragansett Native American word "askutasquash." In their language, "askutasquash" means, “eaten raw or uncooked.”Fun Fact #3: Summer squash is part of the Cucurbitaceae family, just like melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and other gourdsFun Fact #4: There are many varieties of summer squash, including zucchini, crookneck squash, pattypan squash, sunburst squash, scallopini squash, opo squash, and straightneck squash. Visit https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/school-nutrition/pdf/fact-sheet-summer-squash.pdf for more details about each type.Fun Fact #5: Unlike winter squash, you can eat the skin of any summer squash. The flowers are delicious too!Fun Fact #6: Once a summer squash plant fruits, the squash can grow up to an inch per day.These fun facts are great to sprinkle through a newsletter or use as an icebreaker at your next presentation.Ooh, and don't miss the Free Handout: Summer Squash FactsReferences:

1. https://healthysd.gov/zucchini/
2. https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/school-nutrition/pdf/fact-sheet-summer-squash.pdf
3. https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/94/School%20Grant%20Program/Year%202%20Lessons%20Revised/FINAL%20combined%202-3%20Zucchini%20Sept%20reduced%20size.pdf
4. https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/agriculture/item/how-did-squash-get-its-name/