Zucchini, Courgette, Summer Squash 'Cocozelle'

Comparisons in this post are to Black Beauty zucchini, which I am also growing this year and in the past. They both grow alike and are eq...Read Moreually prolific. Cocozelle is a more attractive plant, because the leaves stay deep green and don't turn whitish. It is also somewhat easier to find the speckled light-and-dark green striped veg because there is more contrast with the foliage. Cs are more prone to curving, and tend to grow more bulbous at the end (teardrop shape). Cs are faceted, with flat or even ridged sides, not a round cross section. I have read that C tastes nuttier than BB, but to me they taste milder and less "green". I have picking them small, so I can't compare pithiness of large veges. Cs (the veg, not the plant) grow slower, so fewer "baseball bats". Aside from the novelty of striped zucchini, BB is superior IMO.

For several years I have been growing Cocozelle zucchini and I always take great delight at the speed at which they grow and at the robus...Read Moret nature of the plant.

The texture of the fruit is superb, the flavour delicious, and the fact that the seeds are small means the whole thing can be eaten either sauteed, stir fried, grated in a loaf, blended in a green smoothie, raw in salads or baked in a cake! Of all the zuke types that I grow, this is a firm favorite.

Absolutely the grossest tasting squash I've ever eaten, which surprised me, since I've heard good things about it for several years now (...Read Morewhich is about as long as I've been gardening - and that is to say, not long). Production was decent, and the plants weren't especially unwieldy, but each and every squash picked tasted decidedly "earthy", to put it politely. Less politely stated, these tasted like dirt. Literally. Texture was as one would expect a zucchini to be - nothing noteworthy.

Won't be growing again, and instead, am moving on to Costata Romanesco, which I understand produces less, but is purported to have a flavor superior to all. Fingers crossed!

Another excellent grower. When picked young, these have a very nutty flavor and taste wonderful when roasted in good oil. Still holds fla...Read Morevor well when it becomes larger and is my choice zucchini for making zucchini parmesan.