Zucchini (Summer Squash)
The Sakız zucchini is a type of squash from the gourd family. Its fruit is cylindrical and whitish in color, with a pale, fleshy interior. It is widely cultivated across Anatolia and is commonly used as a vegetable in various dishes. The outer appearance is about 18–20 cm in length and 8–12 mm in diameter. The seeds are white, hard-shelled, and oval-shaped.
Harvest Season
For summer squash, fruits should be harvested when they reach 15–20 cm in length. Harvesting should be done daily, preferably in the morning or evening hours. To prolong the harvesting period, older leaves should be removed and standard care practices should continue. Yield per plant is around 2–4 kg, and 5–8 tons per decare (1,000 m²) can be obtained.
Winter varieties like bal (honey) and kestane (chestnut) squashes should remain on the plant until the leaves dry out and turn yellow. The fruits should reach their full size, and the stems and leaves should be completely dry before harvesting. Harvesting should be done before heavy rainfall begins. In fact, a slight exposure to cold can even improve fruit quality, so they can be left in the field until then.
