Cocozelle

Cocozelle is an Italian heirloom summer squash, a type of zucchini long grown in Italy and valued for its striped fruit and firm flesh. The bushy to semi-vining plants produce long, slender fruits with dark green skin marked by lighter green longitudinal stripes. Harvested young at six to eight inches, the flesh is firm, fine-grained, and richly flavored, holding its texture well in cooking, which makes it especially good for grilling, sauteing, and Italian dishes. If left to grow larger the fruit becomes more suitable for stuffing. Maturing in about 55 to 60 days, it is productive over a long season. As an open-pollinated heirloom, its seed can be saved. Cocozelle is favored by gardeners who want an authentic Italian zucchini with attractive stripes and firm, flavorful flesh.