I planted some white scallop squash (aka patty pan) seeds and they are doing great. They are really delicious, sliced thick, sauteed in a little olive oil until al dente, then sprinkled with parmesan.
BUT. One seed has grown a plant that has ONE scallop squash on it, and the squash is BLACK! black as the ace of spades! I haven't picked it yet so don't know what it looks like inside.
Has anybody else every had a squash that was supposed to be white turn out to be black?
Black scallop squash???
nope, my problem is usually the yellow squash/zucchini wars, squash cross pollinate too ez. so the yello and zukes become either/or, plus each. have to plant them farther apart...prob still a good squash you have, just color confused.
Most likely you got a seed mixed into your white scallop package or perhaps the seeds were crossed and one showed its mixed parentage. While there are no black scallops, just as there are no true balck zuchini. However, there are dark green scallops that are as dark green as the dark green "black" zucchini. Total Eclipse , G Star, Grisson are such cultivars. They don't show any crosses until the next generation, so whatever you have came from the seed. Unless you are saving seed, no need to worry about planting distances.
This message was edited Aug 12, 2010 8:47 PM
I'm sure you are right about getting the wrong seed mixed into my package of white squash seeds, but it is definitely BLACK. I took a picture with my phone so it isn't very clear and in fact, the picture doesn't do it justice -- it is really BLACK. I put a white squash next to it. If nobody has ever seen a really black scallop squash before, maybe I should save the seeds and plant them next year and see if I can get more black ones. Ya think?
If you save seeds, I'd sure like to have a couple of them! How totally cool is that!?!
Will do, Sequee. I wonder whether anyone would really want to buy black squash, but then eggplant is black and people buy it. I have always hated eggplant but I am growing some for my son, who is a chef, and I bet him he couldn't cook it in a way I would like it, but I am willing to try some when he gets it going. Our first eggplant (egg?) is almost ready to pick.
I'm jealous! I love eggplant, but haven't had much luck with it the last few. This year my seeds didn't even germinate - guess they decide to save me the frustration!!!
I would think they would sell fine. People like oddities...look at us!
I have grown the dark green pattypan called Starship (which is a great variety, IMO), and the little ones do look black. I'm guessing you have something like that.