Zapallo del Tronco is not a new squash, in fact it is a beloved staple in some of South America’s outdoor markets. But, it is not well known here in North America. So, when I ‘discovered’ it in my garden, I had to do some research.
Summer squash is such an easy thing to grow. The plants grow big, fast! And when that first baby squash starts showing, you get a sense of accomplishment that your thumb really, truly is green.
You carefully harvest that first zucchini or crookneck or patty pan, sauté or grill it up, and brag to your neighbors about your gardening prowess. But then, before you can blink an eye, the next 30 squash follow closely behind. Too close to figure out how to use them. And they just keep on coming until you can’t give them away. Finally you just start leaving them on friend’s (or stranger’s) doorsteps. 🙂
It is for this reason that I am somewhat tentative about putting too many summer squash into my garden. First of all, for me, many summer squash are best in moderation anyway. Zucchini has a watery flavor when cooked too long which reminds me of, well, bad restaurant veggie medley. Frankly, I prefer the mildest of summer squash I can get my hands on.
I discovered my new, absolute favorite squash this year totally by accident: I was gifted a tender sprout of what I thought would be a pattypan squash, but after the plant started producing, it was not. After checking with the giver, I found out it was a variety called Zappallo del Tronco squash which we fell in love with!
About Zapallo del Tronco Squash
This squash is more of a hybrid between a summer squash and a winter squash. It is an early producer, and extremely vigorous, like other summer squashes. We had loads of squash on just the one upright, bushy plant. And, you can harvest it young and tender as you would a zucchini. Or, leave it on the plant a bit longer to mature. A later picked squash results in a larger, darker-skinned fruit with ribs. At this more mature stage it is excellent on the grill.
I grew this plant in rich composted soil with fish meal in the planting hole for extra phosphorus. The fish meal stimulated blooming, possibly what allowed me to get so many squash on a single plant. I did not need to manually pollinate the flowers.
The flavor is delicate, especially young. But even if you pick it late, after the ribs start to form, it is still very nice. Not too strong, and definitely not bitter. It is never watery, like most other summer squash.
I found that it is much more resistant to powdery mildew than the average squash. Almost all of my squash here get some level of fungus during the extra hot days of summer, but Zapallo del Tronco performed straight through the heat and never picked up a disease. I was still harvesting these cute little bowling balls until late September. Late in the season they more closely resemble winter squash and I started using them for fall decorating.
Cooking with Zapallo del Tronco Squash
Also, Zapallo del Tronco is very versatile for cooking; softening up nicely in an olive oil sauté. The flesh is sturdy enough to stand up to olive oil and fresh minced garlic without being overpowered by it. You can also dice it up into an impromptu sweet salsa along with mango and pepper as an elegant topping for fish.
Yet it can still hold up well to grilling, turning easily over the flame with either tongs or a spatula. We just basted it lightly with olive oil and sea salt for the grill. This squash grilled simply is actually my favorite way to eat it.
The seeds are soft when picked early, and I even made and canned relish with it this year for hamburger topping which turned out beautifully! Check out my summer squash relish recipe here.
I have since researched more about Zapallo del Tronco squash; it is not normally produced in quantity in this area. But it should be! Therefore, I have been saving the seeds so that I can grow it again and again. You can buy seeds here. I will post some tips and tricks for saving squash seeds, too!!
Let me know below if any of you have used / seen / are familiar with Zapallo del Tronco summer squash!
I grew up eating these in Uruguay. I finally found seeds and I planted about 10 last year (2021) and got only 2 fruits to harvest. That was sad. The plants got yellow and died. This year I planted 12. They started turning yellow and dying and I found out about the squash vine borer. I was able to remove the worms and the plants survived. However, so far this year I have been able to pick only 4 zapallitos. What am I doing wrong?! The plants are big and have a lot of flowers, but they don’t produce any fruit. There are a lot of bees and insects getting in the flowers, so I don’t think pollination is the problem. Any suggestions?
Also, you should try stuffed zapallitos. It is one of my favorite meals. Quiches are close 2nds. 🙂
Ugh! So frustrating to lose the whole crop!! Last year must have been so hard. But congratulations on saving it this year.
I have two thoughts on your lack of fruit. First, once a plant has been compromised, like yours was earlier this year with the vine borer, it sometimes takes a little longer to put energy into reproduction. After recovery sometimes it spends energy just on leaf growth. This will be compounded if there is high nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth over fruit and flower production. You could try some phosphorus fertilizer.
Second, the heat this summer has been brutal in some parts of the world. Extreme temps will slow and even stop fruit production. If you are in one of those areas with a prolonged heat wave, that could very well be the issue. If it is possible to shade the plant, try that.
Good luck and yes I will definitely try stuffed zapallitos!!! 🙂
I just planted these for the first time this year and just picked my first one. I found the seeds on Baker Creek seeds. I am.so excited to try it!
This year is the first year I have grown Zappalo de Tronco. It started out kind of slow, but when the monsoon rains hit the squash got huge and started putting on fruit. I guess they are the size I need to start picking them for a dinner. I’m excited to taste them. I love growing squash and I have 12 different kinds this year.