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FREE: Shishigatani - RARE Japanese heirloom squash

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Description

The listing, Shishigatani - RARE Japanese heirloom squash has ended.

These are amazing (and delicious) - the squash turn from green to black, then when they are fully mature they turn a sort of chestnut tan color.The fruit are uniquely shaped, like a bottle gourd (some are kind of peanut-shaped) and are he rind is heavily ribbed, and very warty.
Inside, the fine-grained pale yellow flesh has a rich and delicious nutty flavor.
Quite rare here, very popular in Kyoto, Japan.
Shishigatani squash is one of several vegetables introduced to Japan during the early Edo Period (~1804). These vegetables became part of a religious and culinary fabric of the Kyoto region. Shishigatani is used in shojin ryori, a type of vegetarian cooking prepared by Buddhist priests.
The squash grows to be 8 in long, and weighs in at around 6 pounds.
c. moschata ....110 days
this auction is for 7 seeds -- I've only got a few to share!

Questions & Comments

never heard of these--great auction! tweeted it too

Oct 5th, 2013 at 10:42:44 AM PDT by

Yeah - the seeds are pretty hard to find in this country -- I first read about this kind of squash in 2012 -- but didn't have a garden, then this year they were 'out of stock'...so I nabbed a packet at the National Heirloom Festival last month (and there weren't that many seeds in the pack -- so this is gonna be a 'rare' auction)...thanks for the tweet!

Oct 5th, 2013 at 12:28:14 PM PDT by

Have you been able to grow these successfully in Ukiah? If so, I am in a similar climate and would like to try because they are very tasty. Thank you.

Oct 5th, 2013 at 8:29:01 PM PDT by

As I mentioned in my previous comment - I haven't had a chance to try these (i didn't get my hands on the seeds til it was too late to plant this year...but I am expecting them to do well here next summer...It is my understanding that squash, in general, like hot weather, and can deal with drought, but set fruit better if they have adequate water. I checked on the climate for Kyoto - where this variety was developed - and their summer temps are pretty darn close to ours - 70's in May, 80's in June, ramping up to the 90's in July/August, then tapering off...It is more humid there -- but humidity promotes mildew etc...I found this link -- looks like it has a lot of info on what squash like and need: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/00-031.htm...hope you get a chance to try them!

Oct 5th, 2013 at 8:56:15 PM PDT by

Shishigatani - RARE Japanese heirloom squash is in the Home & Garden | Gardening | Gardening Seeds & Bulbs category