Courgettes also known as zucchini, have become a staple vegetable in kitchens around the world. Their mild flavor and versatility have made them a favorite for home cooks and professional chefs alike. But where exactly do these ubiquitous green squash come from?
The Botanical Background
To understand the origins of the courgette, we first need to understand a bit about botany Courgettes belong to the genus and species Cucurbita pepo, which also includes squash varieties like acorn squash and pumpkin. Cucurbita pepo is native to the Americas, likely originating in either Mexico or northern South America thousands of years ago
The courgette or zucchini plant itself is an annual vine in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. It produces long, cylindrical green fruits with edible seeds and skin. These fruits are technically classified as berries.
Other closely related varieties in the C. pepo species include:
- Cocozelle – a long, stripey zucchini
- Zucchini – the typical dark green zucchini
- Yellow squash – straight neck and crookneck varieties
So while C. pepo traces back thousands of years in the Americas, the specific courgette plant we know today arose much more recently.
Breeding in Italy
As with all squash varieties, courgettes have their origins in North and Central America, but the green, cylindrical summer squashes that we know and love today were not developed until the second half of the 19th century by growers in northern Italy.
The courgette was likely bred from the cocozelle variety at some point in the late 1800s. The cocozelle had been brought over from the Americas centuries earlier.
The Italians selectively bred the cocozelle over generations to create shorter, plumper fruits with thinner skin and fewer seeds – traits that define the zucchini we know today.
Courgettes were refined and popularized in the area around Milan, which gave rise to their Italian name “zucchino,” meaning small squash. The name “courgette” also stems from the Italian word for squash, “zucca.”
Spreading Across Europe
By the start of the 20th century, courgettes had spread beyond Italy to France, where they became known as “courgette.”
From France, courgettes disseminated to neighboring regions like the UK, where they are primarily referred to as courgettes today. Germans call them zucchini.
Over time, new cultivars arose offering different fruit sizes, shapes, and colors beyond the typical cylindrical green. Today you can find golden courgettes, round courgettes, striped courgettes, and more.
Arrival in North America
Courgettes likely first came to the United States in the early 1920s, brought over by Italian immigrants. The first documented records of courgettes being grown in the US are from the 1920s as well.
California is thought to be one of the first places courgettes were cultivated in America. They were initially referred to by their Italian name, zucchini.
Over time, the term zucchini spread and became the common name for the vegetable across the US and Canada. Courgette is rarely used.
Courgettes came later to Australia and New Zealand, but are primarily referred to as zucchini there today.
Growing Popularity
Since being introduced, especially in North America, courgettes have steadily risen in popularity thanks to their versatility, productivity, and relative ease of growth.
They can be grown in home gardens and large-scale farms alike. Each plant produces prolifically, giving high yields across the growing season.
Supermarkets carry courgettes year-round since they store reasonably well compared to other summer produce. Their mild, fresh flavor also makes them an accessible vegetable for kids and picky eaters.
Courgette’s popularity has spawned dozens of new cultivars and even some variations like round courgettes and climbing zucchini. They are now a standard ingredient in cuisines around the world.
Key Points in Courgette History
- Courgettes belong to the species Cucurbita pepo, which traces back thousands of years to the Americas
- They were bred in northern Italy in the late 19th century from the older cocozelle variety
- Breeding focused on creating a shorter, plumper fruit with thinner skin and fewer seeds
- Their Italian name became zucchini, while the French dubbed them courgette
- Courgettes spread across Europe over the early 20th century
- Italian immigrants likely introduced them to the US in the 1920s
- They gained popularity for their productivity, versatility, and mild flavor
Growing Zucchini (Courgettes) from Sowing to Harvest
FAQ
Why is zucchini called courgette?
What’s the difference between courgette and zucchini?
Where do courgettes grow?
Is courgette a vegetable?
Courgette is a versatile vegetable with many names. Courgette, also known as zucchini, is a popular summer squash that belongs to the cucumber family. It is called courgette in the U.K. and Europe, while the term zucchini is commonly used in North America and Australia. Courgettes come in various shapes and sizes.
Where did courgette come from?
The courgette, or baby marrow as it is sometimes called, is a type of squash that originated in Central and Southern America. Having been discovered by explorers in the 15th century, the squashes were taken back and introduced to Europe. The courgette as we know it was bred centuries later in Italy and named the zucchina, meaning ‘little marrow’.
Are courgettes grown in the UK?
Courgettes (Cucurbita pepo) or zucchini as they are also known, are widely grown here in the UK. Read on to learn all about the humble courgette’s characteristics and origin, as well as what the difference is between male and female flowers. These can be a little tricky to identify until you know how.
Why is zucchini called a Courgette?
Zucchini comes from the Italian Zucca that means squash. Zucchini means then small squash. Though squashes didn’t originate in Italy, it is believed that the Italian name was adopted because many feel the Italians are credited with developing this food. The French and many other English speaking countries call this a Courgette.
What is the difference between Courgette and zucchini?
Courgette and zucchini are two names used interchangeably to refer to the same vegetable. In the United States and Canada, it is often called zucchini, while in the United Kingdom and some other countries, it is referred to as courgette.
How do you identify courgettes?
These can be a little tricky to identify until you know how. Belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, courgettes are a type of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) and characteristically produce yellow flowers before subsequent green fruits.