Garden

Getting to know Ronde de Nice squash

Don't leave this bodacious beauty on the vine too long.

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Credit: Sharon Hanna

This bodacious beauty is ‘Ronde de Nice’—yes, round, and from Nice


This is a very old variety from Vilmorin Seed Company, one of the oldest seed companies in the world, and also the originator of the “Cinderella” (Vif Rouge D’Etampes) pumpkin.

Ronde de Nice squash is perfect for the barbecue—it won’t fall through the grate. As usual, most gardeners leave it on the vine too long—ditto ‘Eight Ball’, another round darker green type. Pick this heirloom squash when it reaches the size of a baseball—not a softball (or a volleyball).