Yokohama Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

Pumpkin Yokohama (Cucurbita moschata): heirloom variety from Japan, naturalized American now. Although it disappeared for about  a century, it has recently been reintroduced and recovered in the US (see the section below for more detailed info). It is quite small, a bit ribbed, and shaped like a spinning top. The skin is thick and green, the pulp is golden yellow – sometimes green. It has a complex taste, not easily describable, exotic almost . The fruits can be stored for a long time tanks to its leathery skin. The plant is rustic, quite productive, and very tasty.

The commercial exchanges between US and Japan started in 1850, right there, plants and fruits also started being exchanged.  The Yokohama Pumpkin showed up then, a strong winter vegetable developed trough centuries thanks to a meticulous selection made by Japanese gardeners .