Turban squash

Turban squash, also known as "Turk's turban" or "French turban" ("Giraumon" in French), is a type of squash most often used as a winter squash. It is an heirloom, predating 1820.^[2] A cultivar of Cucurbita maxima, it is closely related to the buttercup squash.^[3] It is typically 6 pounds when mature.^[2] Colors vary, but are often mottled in shades of orange, red, white and green.^[3] The squash is used as both a vegetable and as an ornamental gourd.^[4][5] Taste is similar to other C. maxima cultivars, though "not as vibrant,"^[4] "reminiscent to hazelnut,"^[3] and "coarse, watery and insipid."^[6] Known in the nineteenth century as "the most beautiful in color, and the most worthless in quality, of all the varieties of squash;"^[6] More recently, Ian Knauer, author of "The Farm", has described it as "nutty and sweet".^[7]

Cucurbita maxima 'Turban'
Turban squash (variety Mini red turban)
Species	Cucurbita maxima
Cultivar	Turban, Mini red turban
Origin	Northeastern United States[1]

There are two varieties or cultivars:

• Turk's turban: a medium-sized tricolor gourd with red cap and red, green and white turban.
• Mini red turban: a small-sized bicolor gourd with red cap and white turban (sometimes with narrow red stripes).