Pattypan squash

Cucurbita pepo · Squash

40 pairings

Pattypan (also "scallop" or "scallopini") is a small, disc-shaped summer squash — a cultivar group of Cucurbita pepo — recognised by the wavy, scalloped rim that rings its flattened body. Picked young and immature, it is eaten skin, flesh and soft seeds together, with a tender bite and a mild, fresh, faintly nutty flavour.

Picking a good onedrag

Glossy, rim still softScuffed, shrivelled, rim set

Shop firmGlossy, and no wider than a tennis ball. Halve and grill, sauté, or hollow and stuff.Everyday best

SkinBright but no longer wet-looking

Nail at the rimNail marks it under firm pressure

Stem scarScar dry and clean, not sunken

Smell at the scarAlmost nothing at all

What to look for, from glossy, rim still soft to scuffed, shrivelled, rim set.

Keeping ittap a band

Below 5 C the skin pits and rots fast, and the damage stays hidden in the fridge — it shows once it is back on the counter.

Humidity

95%

Shrivels on as little as 3% of its weight lost. Unwashed, in a loose bag; the scalloped rim dries first.

Airflow

Vented, not sealed

Sealed it sweats and soft-rots. Bag it loosely — the thin skin scuffs, and a scuff lets rot in.

Ethylene yellows the green ones

It makes little itself but is damaged by others'. Off the shelf with apples and bananas: green strains yellow, pale ones soften.

Preparing