Cucurbita maxima Hokkaido Mixture – Various tasty winter squashes

The Cucurbita maxima Hokkaido Mixture is a unique collection of various Hokkaido pumpkins, a popular variety known for its compact size, firm texture, and creamy, slightly sweet flesh. This mix is ​​ideal for gardeners, amateur chefs, and small-scale growers who enjoy harvesting different Hokkaido varieties and experimenting with different colors, shapes, and flavors. Hokkaido Mixture combines robust growth, reliable yields, and versatile culinary uses, making it a favorite for vegetable gardens, self-sufficiency growers, and kitchens.

Thanks to the mix of different Hokkaido varieties, this variety offers a varied harvest of uniform, tasty fruits.

Characteristics of the fruits

The fruits of the Hokkaido Mixture range in color from green to orange, with smooth or slightly ribbed skins, depending on the variety. They are small to medium-sized, typically weighing 0.8 to 2 kilograms per fruit, and have a round to slightly flattened shape. The firm skin protects the flesh, making the pumpkins suitable for storage and transport.

The flesh is deep orange, creamy, and slightly sweet with a delicate, nutty flavor. Their compact size and firm texture keep them intact when cooked, roasted, or pureed, making them ideal for both savory and sweet dishes.

Growth and cultivation

The Cucurbita maxima Hokkaido Mixture grows vigorously with short to medium-sized tendrils and broad leaves that protect the fruits from sun and wind. The variety is robust, resistant to common cultivation problems, and easy to grow, even in changing weather conditions. This mix of Hokkaido varieties ensures a varied harvest with different colors and shapes, adding extra appeal to the vegetable garden.

Cultivation advice:

• Sowing: Sow indoors from April; plant out after the last frost.

• Outdoor sowing: Possible from the end of May at a soil temperature ≥15°C.

• Position: Full sun, warm and sheltered from strong winds.

• Planting distance: 1 to 1.5 meters per plant for sufficient space.

• Soil: Nutritious, humus-rich and well-drained; compost promotes fruit quality and flavour.

• Water: Water regularly, especially during fruiting and warm periods.

The fruits ripen late in the season and are ready for harvest when the skins harden completely and the stems begin to cork. When stored properly, the pumpkins can be kept for several months.

Culinary applications

The flesh of the Hokkaido Mixture is versatile and exceptionally flavorful. Its creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor make it suitable for a variety of dishes. Its firm texture keeps the flesh intact during cooking, roasting, or pureeing.

Popular applications:

• Creamy pumpkin soup

• Roasted pumpkin cubes

• Stews and curries

• Pumpkin puree, gnocchi or ravioli filling

• Sweet dishes such as pumpkin pie, muffins or bread

• Stuffed pumpkin with grains, vegetables or meat

The variety in the mix allows gardeners to create a diverse harvest that is both visually appealing and culinarily versatile.

Why choose Cucurbita maxima Hokkaido Mixture?

The Hokkaido Mixture combines varied colors and shapes, robust growth, and excellent culinary quality in a single variety. It's an excellent choice for gardeners and amateur chefs who want a varied harvest of flavorful, compact pumpkins.

Key benefits:

• Small to medium sized fruits in various colors

• Deep orange, creamy and slightly sweet flesh

• Robust and reliable growing variety

• Versatile in the kitchen – suitable for savoury and sweet dishes

• Good storage quality for several months of storage

• Varied harvest with different Hokkaido varieties

With its combination of flavour, robustness and varied appearance, the Cucurbita maxima Hokkaido Mixture is a valuable addition to any vegetable garden and kitchen.