Squash comes from the Native American word askutasquash-- which means a green thing eaten raw-- but the Pilgrims shortened it to squash.

Just as winter squashes, the summer kinds are generally accepted to be native to the Americas. Remains have been found in Central America and Mexico dating as far back as 7000 BC. It continued to spread throughout North America and then found his way to Europe via Christopher Columbus. The Portuguese and Spanish explorers then continued to expand this vegetable's popularity.

Summer squash tend to be small, fast growing, and unlike winter squashes, can be consumed without being cooked. Cooked or raw, there are a million things you can do with these delicious vegetables. If you are looking for a healthier substitute for French fries, zucchini sticks are the answer: cut them in julienee sticks and deep fry them in hot oil.

•          Chayote

•          Sunburst Squash

•          Zucchini

•          Yellow Squash