Why I Love Trombone Zucchini

Quite a few years ago, while reading a vegetable gardening book, I first heard about trombone zucchini. What?! This is a vining zucchini rather than the bush form we’re all familiar with.

The author, Mary Ann Newcomer, who is a dear friend of mine, raved about it. What particularly got my attention was her comment that they taste like artichoke hearts. I just knew I had to try growing them!

The cultivar I’ve been growing is ‘Trombetta di Albenga’ and the seeds came from Renee’s Garden Seeds. They’re not hard to grow at all. Just provide them with some sunshine and a vertical support and they’ll do great.

In addition to their wonderful flavor, there are more reasons why I just love them. Their goofy shapes are certainly a draw. But you know how when you pick a regular zucchini, the squash softens and starts to deteriorate? And how the larger zucchinis tend to have a lot of seeds in the middle?

Well, not the trombone zucchinis! The skin stays fresh and tight and there are either no seeds or very few. Notice the photo at left, which shows part of one cut lengthwise. The flesh is firm and tasty days later, no matter how you stored the squash. I think that’s amazing. Although it makes me wonder how the seed folks get seeds from these squash if there aren’t any inside!

All of these reasons should make you want to try them in your 2020 veggie garden. I heartily recommend them. And besides, they are the coolest-looking things ever that will puzzle anyone who visits!