Marina di Chioggia

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your senses into Marina di Chioggia’s rich, sun-warmed flesh—sweet, mellow, and deeply aromatic, with a velvety texture that turns luxuriously smooth.

This winter squash forms large, flattened fruits with a handsome, mottled rind that stores beautifully, making it a dependable centerpiece for cool-season abundance. Grow it for roasting-pan flavor, hearty purées, and silky sauces that shine with its naturally rounded sweetness.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Marina di Chioggia

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 18th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 2nd
Harvest Begins	Aug 10th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Marina di Chioggia leans sweet and aromatic, with flesh that turns silky instead of watery—perfect for purées that stay lush and spoon-coat without thinning. Roast it hard for browned edges, then lean into fats and herbs (brown butter, sage) to pull out the caramel-nut notes.

Best Uses

roasting-pan wedges that caramelize at the edges
silky purée (great for thickening without dairy)
velvety soups and purée-based sauces for pasta

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow squash aroma velvety, dry-sweet flesh that smooths when cooked gentle nuttiness with a caramel-like finish

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter sage cinnamon sage-roasted pork parmesan Greek yogurt (or crème fraîche)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease for Cucurbita maxima (Marina di Chioggia) and how do I fix it fast?

Cucurbita maxima is often hit by powdery mildew (white, dusty patches on leaves) as the crop approaches maturity. At the first signs, remove the worst infected leaves, improve airflow by avoiding overhead watering, and spray with a labeled sulfur-based fungicide (follow the label for frequency and timing). If you see wilting plus a stem that turns dark and soft, suspect a soil-borne rot or wilt and remove affected plants to protect the rest of the patch.

How often should I water Marina di Chioggia during the main growing phase?

During active vine growth and fruit development, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—typically about 1 to 2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and soil texture. Water at the base early in the day and let the top few centimeters of soil dry slightly between waterings to reduce rot and mildew pressure. Consistent moisture is especially important once fruits start swelling; irregular watering can lead to poor fruit fill.

How can I tell when Cucurbita maxima (Marina di Chioggia) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the rind is fully hard (you can’t easily puncture it with your fingernail) and the stem has begun to dry and turn corky. The fruit color should look mature for the variety and the surface should be evenly developed; if the plant is at about 100 days, check daily once fruits are clearly full-sized. Cut with a sharp knife leaving 3–5 cm of stem to help it cure and store better.