This spring, like so many others, I found myself with some extra time on my hands and nowhere to go. So, I decided to work on some projects that I have been putting on the back burner for several ...

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Now trending in the gourd grower’s garden — cucuzza, a hit parade of vines, tendrils and edible squash. Cucuzza -- aka “gagootz” -- is an aggressive creeper that yields baseball ...

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For some gardening Staten Islanders, the cucuzza -- aka “gagootz” -- vines finally have given the gift of squash this summer. Despite the lack of rain and pesky lantern flies, ...

Cucuzza Italian squash can be intimidating because it grows to such lengths, but it is as easy to manage as any summer squash. It has a delightfully mild flavor that goes will in any number of dishes.