By michael - February, 10th 2014

Pumpkin squash is a fruit that belongs to the gourd family. The fruit has a round shape but appears to be flattened at the top and bottom. It may also have an oblong shape. The weight of the fruit ranges from 1 pound to several hundred pounds. Smaller pumpkins known as the sugar or pie pumpkin are the sweetest. The pumpkin has a thick outer shell that is orange or deep yellow in color. However, some varieties may be green, red or gray in color. The interior has a deep orange color. Plenty of edible seeds known as pepitas are found inside the fruit. It has high amounts ofvitamins A and C. It also contains vitamins B1, B3, B5 and B6. Mineral content includes potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, copper and phosphorous. The fruit can also help you meet your dietary fiber requirements.

We know we've already talked your ears off about how much we love summer squash, but we're going to do it some more. From the delicate squash blossoms to the very first baby squash of summer to the late summer bocce-ball-sized numbers, we really can't get enough. We've talked aboutzucchini recipes, yellow squash recipes,squash blossom recipes and beyond, but we want to make sure you know what you're getting when you dive head-first into squash season at your farmer's market. So we put together a little summer squash guide.

Zucchini/Courgettes

We're pretty sure you're familiar with these by now, but the special bonus about getting peak season summer zucchini is that their skins are smooth, thin and totally edible. No peeling necessary. The general rule with summer zucchini is that the darker the skin, the more vegetal the flavor. Get tons of awesome zucchini recipes here.

Yellow Squash/Yellow Zucchini/Yellow Straightneck Squash

Yep, these are really just yellow zucchini. …

It has been shown that fiber can help fight certain cancers. Fiber accelerates food transit through the gut. Colon cells are therefore exposed to carcinogens for a shorter while. The fiber also helps to eliminate carcinogens from the body. Regular intake of pumpkin can help lower your risk of colon cancer.

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