Tonda Padana squash wears pantyhose

(A pair of old pantyhose makes a a good sling for a big squash)

My Tonda Padana squash has taken over the squash patch in my garden, its vines escaping the confines of the fencing by trailing up and over it, the fence bending under the weight of these hefty curcurbits.

One Tonda Padana has gotten so large and heavy, I made a sling for it out of a pair of old pantyhose (see photo, above).

Now let me tell you a little story about this glorious squash.

(Here is a tame Tonda Padana that did not escape the squash patch)

The seeds are from Franchi Sementi S.P.A., of Bergamo in northern Italy, a family company that was formed in 1783. I love these seeds because, first and foremost, they are Italian, the company offers many varieties of heirloom vegetables and herbs, and they give you a generous amount in the packet for the price— nothing skimpy here.
I have saved seeds from one packet for three years and more, and they are still good, sprouting every time I plant them.

Franchi Sementi has been selling traditional seed varieties for more than 220 years to discriminating gardeners and cooks in Italy, and in more recent years, they have become available over the Internet and at some local markets, such as Adams Fairacre Farms in Poughkeepsie.

I initially bought a packet of Tonda Padana to include in a birthday package for a friend in California. He and his wife were smitten with the name, description and idea of growing this beauty and kept me posted on its progress. It did very well, and they harvested quite a few of the alternating dark striped-skin squash, which is great for roasting, in soups and for making gnocchi. It's similar to butternut squash, but a bit more dry, from what I've learned about it.

I was surprised and pleased when my friends sent me a tin of the perfectly dried seeds as part of my Christmas package — a gift that keeps on giving!

As the days grow shorter and cooler, I will be harvesting these Italian lovelies and saving them for winter use.

I can just imagine the gnocchi I will make and perhaps a pot of soup or two.

Stay tuned for recipes from this vagabond curcurbit that, like some of us, requires a little support from pantyhose.