Marina Di Chioggia, 6 x 6 " oil on panel
I carried this twelve and a half pound squash up to my studio so I could paint it. Knobby with sugar warts all over, it was grown in the mountains of North Carolina. It can be grown here, too, so I am going to save some of the seeds to plant next spring. This is an heirloom variety, not a hybrid from a seed company.
Marina Di Chioggia originated in a little village near Venice on Italy's Adriatic coast. It is prized for its flavorful flesh and is sometimes used to make gnocchi, little dumplings that are also made with potato.
If you haven't tried this winter squash, you may be able to find one at your local Farmer's Market. It is easy to cook by roasting in the oven after cutting into wedges and laying cut side down on a baking sheet. Baking may take up to ninety minutes. Then you can scoop it off the skin and puree it to make soup or just eat like mashed potatoes. You can even try making some gnocchi.
Delicious!
That's a very interesting...not to mention HUGE!...squash. I've never heard of it before. Sounds like a winner, though. We have trouble growing most varieties of squash here due to the vine borer moth, among other garden pests. Anyway, this is a wonderful painting, Fay! :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great painting, and I loved hearing about the squash. I bought two pumpkins yesterday with warts on them. I just love the texture.
ReplyDeleteI'm really inspired by your fall paintings Fay! And now I want to get some of that squash and try that recipe- yum!
ReplyDeleteLovely painting. Never heard of this type of squash. Seems like it will feed a feast.
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