Cucurbita maxima Marina di Chioggia – Traditional Italian pumpkin

The Cucurbita maxima Marina di Chioggia is a traditional Italian pumpkin variety known for its unique appearance, rich flavor, and creamy flesh. This winter squash variety is ideal for gardeners, amateur chefs, and small commercial growers who want a reliable harvest of flavorful and decorative pumpkins. Marina di Chioggia combines robust growth, high yield, and excellent culinary quality, making it a favorite in both vegetable gardens and kitchens.

Thanks to its traditional characteristics and authentic Italian provenance, Marina di Chioggia offers a consistent harvest of uniform, flavourful fruits.

Characteristics of the fruits

The fruits of Cucurbita maxima Marina di Chioggia are medium to large, often round or slightly flattened, with a characteristic, strongly ribbed skin. Their color ranges from dark green to blue-green and is often interspersed with light stripes, making the pumpkin particularly decorative. The fruits typically weigh between 4 and 8 kilograms.

The flesh is deep orange, creamy, and slightly sweet, with a fine texture that's versatile in the kitchen. Its firm texture keeps the flesh intact when cooked, roasted, or pureed, making it suitable for both savory and sweet dishes.

Growth and cultivation

The Cucurbita maxima Marina di Chioggia grows vigorously with long tendrils and broad leaves that protect the fruits from sun and wind. This variety is robust and reliable, even in changing weather conditions. Marina di Chioggia performs best in well-drained, humus-rich soil and is suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.

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: 1.5 to 2 meters per plant to allow sufficient space for tendrils and fruit development.

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

• Water: Water regularly, especially during fruiting and dry 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 Marina di Chioggia is versatile and exceptionally flavorful. Its creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor make it ideal for a variety of dishes. Its firm texture allows the flesh to remain intact during cooking, roasting, or pureeing.

Popular applications:

• Creamy pumpkin soup

• Roasted pumpkin cubes from the oven

• Stews and curries

• Pumpkin puree, gnocchi or ravioli filling

• Sweet preparations such as pumpkin pie, muffins or bread

• Stuffed pumpkin with grains, vegetables or meat

Thanks to its reliable yield and decorative, flavorful fruits, Marina di Chioggia is an excellent choice for gardeners who want to achieve an authentic Italian harvest.

Why choose Cucurbita maxima Marina di Chioggia?

The Marina di Chioggia combines traditional Italian characteristics, robust growth, and excellent culinary qualities in one versatile variety. It's an excellent choice for gardeners and amateur chefs who want a consistent harvest of flavorful, decorative, and robust pumpkins.

Key benefits:

• Medium to large dark blue to green striped fruits

• Deep orange, creamy and slightly sweet flesh

• Traditional Italian pumpkin variety

• Robust and reliable growing variety

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

• Good storage quality for several months of storage

With its combination of unique color, traditional appearance, and flavor, the Cucurbita maxima Marina di Chioggia is a valuable addition to any vegetable garden and kitchen.