The Cocozelle Zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo ) is an old heirloom variety from Italy, which is often referred to as the ‘Italian Zucchini’ or ‘Cocozella di Napoli’. This variety is popular for its rich nutty flavour and outstanding cooking qualities due to both its firmer flesh and lower water content. Because of the above mentioned qualities this is one of the better varieties for grilling, roasting and using in dishes such as pasta’s and slices.
The Cocozelle Zucchini plant is a prolific fruiter.
Zucchini’s are packed with nutrition and also have a huge range of health benefits, well worth adding to your vegetable garden this Spring/Summer. Zucchini can be cooked and served so many ways, that there is usually a recipe for everyone’s taste buds – not many people will knock back a piece of Zucchini slice after they’ve first tasted it.
For another variety of Zucchini, see Black Beauty Zucchini.
Growth
The plant of the Cocozelle Zucchini is annual and grows in the form of a bush, getting to a height and width of 40-60 cm’s (16-20 inch). From seed to harvest is generally approximately 50 days, this variety is best harvested early for best flavour when they are 16-20 cm’s (6-8 inches) long and around 2.5-5 cm’s (1-2 inches) thick. Waiting too long to harvest your zucchini’s can result in tough flesh and a lack of flavour.
The skin of this variety is striped with both dark & light green, which makes them a bit of a stand out in the garden. The Cocozelle Zucchini plant is quite a prolific fruiter and harvesting will encourage further flowering and of course fruit. The flowers are yellow and are also edible, along with the leaves and young shoots. Remember not to harvest too many flowers though because otherwise you wont have fruit!
Zucchini likes a well draining soil that is nutrient rich but don’t fruit as well if over fertilised. A full sun position is preferred or a spot with at minimum of 6 hours of full sun each day. The seeds can be direct sown or started in pots, starting indoor 4-6 weeks prior to last frosts can expand the growing time.
Can be grown in pots/containers.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Cucurbitaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub Tropical & Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
15 to 35°C / 60 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Compost rich, well draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 60cm’s (2 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 60cm’s (2 feet)
pH:
6.0-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium – will need extra water during warmer weather
POLLINATION:
Bees, Insects. Monoecious
MATURITY:
Approximately 50 days
GERMINATION RATES:
88-93% (See Germination Instructions)
GERMINATION TIME:
1-2 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 8-10 seeds
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Store a 4°C (fridge) for 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT CUCURBITA PEPO (Cocozelle Zucchini)
Zucchini is technically a fruit, although it is generally cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Dark skinned varieties of Zucchini have more nutritional benefits than the lighter green skinned types.
The zucchini fruit is called a Baby Marrow or Courgette in some countries.
