Squash are members of the gourd family, and the order cucurbitales. This group also includes melons and cucumbers. Gourds are; generally speaking; not very nutritious. The genus Cucurbita consists of pumpkins, squash and what is commonly known as a gourd. It is made up of four species, C. maxima, C. mixta, C. moschata, C. pepo.
Summer squash (C. pepo) are harvested and eaten when they are immature; shells are still soft. Varieties include summer crookneck, white and yellow scallop.
Winter squash and pumpkin are derived from each of the four species of Cucurbita They are harvested after the rind has hardened, allowing them to be stored for longer periods of time; through the winter...; hence their name.
Other common varieties of squash are cushaw (C. moschata), acorn, spaghetti, straight neck, and zuchinni.
Squash; like the corn, tomato, and potato; are native to the Americas. They were an integral part of many aboriginal diets. The word squash is derived from the Algonquian word askutasquash, or vegetables eaten green. In fact, squash were so important to the Five Civilized Tribes; as recognized by the Europeans; (Cherokee, Chicksaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole) they gave them a special name. Along with maize(corn) and beans, squash were known as the Three Sisters, the staple of their diet.