Yellow Crookneck

Yellow Crookneck is an old American heirloom summer squash grown since colonial times, named for its curved, swan-like neck. The bushy plants produce bright yellow fruits with a bumpy or warty skin and a distinctive bent neck, best harvested young at four to six inches when the flesh is tender and the skin thin. The flavor is rich, buttery, and slightly sweeter than zucchini, making it a favorite for sauteing and southern-style dishes. Highly productive over the summer, it needs frequent picking to stay tender and to keep setting fruit. Maturing in about 50 to 58 days, it is an early producer. As an open-pollinated heirloom, its seed can be saved. Yellow Crookneck endures for its old-fashioned flavor, cheerful color, and long history in American gardens.