What are Courgettes & Marrows?

They're a summer squash, from the same family as squashes, pumpkins and melons.

An annual plant, they produce up to 20 fruit during their life.

The fruit should be succulent, bright and green, with marrows striped in colour.

How are they grown and harvested?

Plants are grown from seed in nurseries and transported to fields or greenhouses once they are strong enough.

Fruit is harvested by cutting the plant by hand, usually at a mature stage when the flower has dropped off. Baby courgettes can be harvested young when the flower is still attached.

Once a crop starts producing courgettes it will be harvested every day, sometimes twice, for around four months.

Enjoying Courgettes and Marrows

They are incredibly versatile, eaten steamed, fried, grilled or BBQed in long slices with other vegetables.

Marrows are great stuffed with mince or pinenuts with cheeses and breadcrumbs.

You can add courgettes to a summer salad.

Remember not to put courgettes in the fridge - they do not like the cold!

courgette