Spanish Name
Ayote
Scientific Name
Cucurbita spp.
Category
Vegetables
Perennial/Annual
Annual
Edible parts
FleshFlowerFruitSeed
Recipes
Creamy Ayote Soup
Growth Type
VineGroundcover
Usage
CulinaryNutritionalFertilityFruit-VegetableEdible Flower
Life Cycle
Placenta 1
Origin
Central AmericaSouth America
Strata Category
Low
How to eat
Fruits can be roasted, baked, steamed, sautéed, or used in soups, stews, desserts, and breads. Seeds are nutrient-dense and often toasted or used for oil.
Nutritional Info
Rich in vitamin A, C, fiber, beta-carotene
Medicinal Uses
Eye health, antioxidant, digestive support
Planting Distance
Bush types: Space 60–90 cm (2–3 feet) apart. Vining types: Space 1.5–2 meters apart or provide a trellis to save space in syntropic beds.
Harvest Time
90 to 120 days after planting (about 3 to 4 months) depending on the variety and growing conditions
