Landrace Squash

A ‘landrace’ is a locally adapted, often traditional variety that has developed over time, through adaptation to its natural and cultural environment. This is a diverse new type of squash we’re trying in 2023 with a range of flavours, textures and colours. Bred and created by Wild Mountain Seeds in the USA, the Desert Spirit has many varieties in its heritage, including Buttercup and the Oregon Homestead Sweet Meat. This explains why the ones we’ve sampled so far did taste like Buttercups crossed with something more vegetal/courgettey. There’s such a diversity in the crop, from ghostly pale whoppers to warty, almost fluorescent, beauties and pint sized poppets that look like volcanic rock splattered in lava- we’re curious how the texture and taste will vary.