This Italian beauty is the race car of the vegetable garden! Fast growing, compact bush habit and prolific. Cocozelle is an heirloom Italian zucchini, made available to the United States in the early 1930s. It stays tender even at large sizes, and its stripes make it a colorful addition to the garden.
Perfect for Zoodles! Can also be: steamed, sautéed, added to soups, omelets, and breads, made into relish and eaten raw in salads or with dip. Traditional Italian cuisine makes use of zucchini by breading and pan frying it or deep frying its blossoms, producing a dish known as "fiori di zucca."
Called Cocozella di Napoli in the 19th century, this bush type plant that can be grown in any sunny spot in the garden or even in a large container. The baby‑sized squash are a delicacy in Italy. 50 days. 10+ Organic seeds.
~ germination/growing ~
Gardeners with short growing seasons may want to start their squash seeds indoors a month before the last expected frost. Since squashes do not take well to transplanting, peat pots are the best option. Plant two seeds per pot, later clipping off the weaker seedling. Harden the seedlings by exposing them to the weather for several hours at a time during the week before transplanting. About a week after the last frost or when the soil temperature reaches an average of 65 degrees F, plant the seedlings in very rich soil 8-10' apart in rows 10-12' apart. Another option is to plant the seedlings in hills of two, 8-10' apart. To direct sow, plant the seeds when the soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees F. Plant them 1/2" deep, 3-4' apart and thin to 8-10' apart. For companion planting benefits, plant squashes along with corn but avoid planting them with potatoes.
Since squash seedlings do not tolerate frost, provide protective coverings if the temperature drops below 65 degrees F. Keep the soil moist at all times, but avoid getting the leaves wet as this can cause diseases such as rot or mildew. When the vines begin to develop, a layer of mulch will help conserve moisture and control weeds; mulch also will keep the squashes clean and protect them from too much soil contact.
~ harvesting ~
For optimum flavor and quality, harvest at 3" long for “baby” zucchini, and 6" - 8" for all other uses. If allowed to grow 10" - 12" or so, the flesh can be used for breads, but the tough seeds must be discarded.
