David and I recently visited a farmer’s market in Meridian Twp (Wednesday, September 30)…in the pouring rain. At one of the vendors I spied a very unusual food item. My very first impression was that it looked like a “fairy house”! Before we left the farmer’s market, I decided this thing would be coming home with me.
I really did not know what I had purchased. I had posted on my Facebook page about my find at the farmer’s market. I called it a “pumpkin-gourd”. A knowledgeable Facebook Friend very graciously replied with its true name…Turk’s Cap Squash.
A Google search provided the following interesting info on my Turk’s Cap Squash…
“As a member of the Cucurbita family, Turk‘s Turban is related to pumpkins, squash and gourds. So, it’s no wonder pumpkin growers call it a pumpkin, gourd lovers consider it an ornamental gourd, and squash growers commonly refer to it as a winter squash.”
“Also known as ‘French Turban’, ‘Turk’s Cap’ or ‘Turk’s Head’, this old heirloom squash has now become a very popular variety for decoration because of its uniquely shaped and beautifully colorful fruit. It resembles a butternut-type but has a cream-colored acorn or “turban” that is colorfully striped with green, yellow, orange, and red.”
“The top is generally beige with streaks of reddish orange and dark green. Fruits grow to about 12 inches in diameter and average about 5 pounds. You can use Turk’s Turban in any of your favorite squash recipes. It is good roasted, baked, steamed, in soups, or on the grill. Find Squash recipes.”
“According to Turk’s Turban squash info, this plant needs up to 120 days to maturity, 10 to 20 days for seeds to sprout. Get seeds started early indoors, especially if you have a short growing season. When seeds have a few leaves and all danger of frost is over, plant them into hills a few feet apart in a sunny area.”
“Turks Turban is a big decorative squash that is also very good to eat. You can roast it or steam it just like butternut, and you can use it in recipes in just about any way you use butternut, acorn, or other winter squash. Here are a few ideas: • Recipe: Pasta with Butternut Squash, Sage, and Pine Nuts.”
“Classified as a winter squash because it’s harvested when the rind is hard, not soft like summer squash, turban squash (Cucurbita maxima) is noted for its deep red, orange, white and green stripes.”
It’s “fairy house” appearance inspired me to put together a little Halloween fairy vignette with items already on hand…a black pedestal serving platter, tatted orange pumpkin doily, vintage Halloween candle figurines, and miniature resin pumpkins.
When completed, I placed the ensemble near my fall decorated three-tiered tray along with other fall decor items. I am most pleased with the finished results!
Very cool! I always wondered what those things were called. And what they exactly were so 3 things in one. Thanks for the info. Happy fall!