Only One Person Grows Cucuzza In Wyoming

Kakutza, more commonly spelled "cucuzza," is a long, edible cucuzza squash that belongs to the bottle gourd family. Is there anyone growing kakutza in Wyoming? There is one guy; that's all we know about.

Cucuzza is an edible gourd that's grown mostly in Sicily. The squash is eaten mostly stewed, but even the young vine ends and leaves can be sautéed and eaten as a green vegetable.

Cucuzza growing in Tim's back yard in Cheyenne Wyoming Photo by Tim Mandeze

Cheyenne, Wyoming resident Tim Mandese is a graphic artist and photographer. He grew these in Florida as a kid and helped an uncle who grew them commercially.

Tim's father growing Cucuzza in Florida Photo By Tim Mandeze

I have never seen them growing in Wyoming, except in my own yard. Am I the only one?

If cucumbers grow well in Wyoming, why not cucuzza?

You can do a lot with this long - um - thingy.

You can cook a stew: simmer cubed cucuzza with potatoes, onions, garlic, and tomatoes in a broth, then mix in broken pasta like spaghetti or small shells.

BIG Cucuzza leaf photo by Tim Mandese

How about stuffed cucuzza? Fill hollowed pieces with a mixture of ground meat or Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs, then poach or bake in a rich tomato sauce

Maybe stewed in red gravy! Sauté the squash with onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic, then add tomato paste and stewed tomatoes to serve over pasta.

BIG Cucuzza photo by Tim Mandese

Try a squash casserole: Shred or cube the squash, mix it with eggs, cheese, and Italian seasonings, and bake until firm.

How To Grow Cucuzza In Wyoming

It can be done, but cucuzza it's challenging to grow cucuzza in Wyoming due to the state's short growing season. Wyoming's cool nights and unpredictable frosts don't help either. According to Savvy Gardening, cucuzza loves the heat and requires warm days and soil temperatures.