Courgette is a type of small squash that resembles a cucumber. Courgettes are cylindrical. Most have shiny green skin, though some varieties are golden colored. Their flesh is greenish-white. Courgettes are mainly eaten cooked and are also used in making a kind of bread. They make up one of the main ingredients of ratatouille, a vegetable casserole. People also eat courgettes raw in salads. Courgettes are low in calories, but a good source of calcium, iron, and vitamins.
Courgettes are popular garden vegetables and grow well in climates with at least two months of consistently warm weather. They require a fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered sunny position. Courgettes are usually planted from seed after all danger of frost has passed. They can be grown in a pot in a greenhouse before being planted outside. The vegetables grow on a bush with a short stem and large leaves.
