ZUCCHINO ROMANESCO SEEDS

Cucurbita pepo

The best zucchini ever. Easily identified by their subtle ribbing. Pick young, when no more than 6", ideally when flowers are still attached. Flesh will be solid, nutty and buttery with no seeds. Overgrown, flesh is still solid and delicious, with seeds typically confined to one end. Grate and drain these giants for use in vegetarian lasagna.

The plants of Romanesco are huge sprawling bushes that set a profusion of flowers and fruit. Pick male flowers, hand pollinate female flowers, and stuff the male squash blossoms with seasoned ricotta, egg yolk, grated mozzarella, parmesan, anchovies and pesto. Tie closed with long blanched chives before dipping into light batter and frying.

Sow these seeds outdoors in well-amended garden soil in full sun when soil has warmed to around 70F. Thin plants to at least 2' apart. Mulch seedlings with compost and bat or seabird guano if you have it, then grass or straw plus marigold clippings, up to about 2" from seedlings. If you have squash vine borers, consider wrapping stems of growing plants with aluminum foil or florists tape. If you have slugs, broadcast a thick layer of horticultural grit around plants. Water regularly and fertilize weekly with fish and seaweed extracts. Treat powdery mildew with a foliar spray of dilute (20%) milk.

Italian seed.

Packet contains at least 20 seeds.