Winter Squash Nicaise fabulous for soups and stews
Nicaise Squash is a large French heirloom winter squash variety from the 1900s and was obtained by two French brothers Edmond Nicaise and Célestin Nicaise in an area around Paris called Palaiseau. The Nicaise squash is very similar in color and shape to the Rouge vif d' Etampes but slightly smaller weighing between 2 to 3 kgs. The flesh is orange, dense and delicious, making it ideal for winter soups and stews.
Scientific Name: Cucurbita maxima
Plant Life Cycle: annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 18C
Germination time in days: 7-14 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 100 Days
Sunlight: Full sun
Sowing and cultivation: Starting Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Sow 2-3 seeds at per cells/pots, 1.5-3 cm deep, thin to the strongest seedling Transplant after last frost when the soil warms to 21C. Space 90-120 cm apart, in rows 120-130 cm apart.
Sowing Outdoors: After the last frost when the soil reaches at least 21C. Sow 2-3 seeds per space/hill, 36-48” apart, in rows 48-60” apart.
Harvest: When skin turns color and rinds are hard. Leave a few inches of the stem on for best storage
