On future Thanksgivings, Don Maynard believes people may go for the calabaza because it is easier to grow and tastes better.The tropical pumpkin belongs to the same family as butternut squash and the traditional North American pumpkin. The tropical pump-kin is native to Central Am-erica and became a favorite in the Caribbean and South America before appearing in Florida with immigrants from those regions.
Key Takeaways:
- Growing Calabaza squash is very similar to growing other varieties of squash and are used much the same way too.
- Calabaza squash plants have a relatively long growing season and are extremely frost tender.
- The vines are long, reaching as much as 50 feet, and must be given room to spread. Each vine produces 2 to 5 fruits that tend to weigh between 5 and 12 pounds, but can weigh as much as 50 pounds.
“Calabaza squash plants, also known as Cuban squash and Zapollo, are useful because they’re especially resistant to pests and disease that can devastate other squash varieties.”
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/growing-calabaza-squash.htm