Genus: Cucurbita maxima Height: 4 - 6" Width: 6 -10" Weight: 5 - 10 lbs. Colour: Orange Skin Texture: smooth with faint ribbing Flesh: Orange Despite it's nice pumpkin shape, Grey Ghost has very thick flesh making it almost impossible to carve a Jack-o'-lantern, so you may call it a squash if you wish. Grey Ghost will attain maximum flavour after it has completely cured, so use it in your fall decorations, and then eat it! Given that this is a new introduction, you would think there would be lots of information about this squash, but an exhaustive seed catalog and internet search reveals very little. It seems to be called "Hybrid Grey Crown" everywhere except in North America, and it's a dead ringer for the Australian Blue "Crown" pumpkin first documented in 1893. Very similar to Whangaparaoa Crown, a New Zealand Storage Pumpkin. Stokes Seeds lists it as a "Kabocha Hybrid". Jack-o'-Lanterns: Grey Ghosts make great Jack-o'-Lanterns, but remember the flesh is very thick. Cut into a Grey Ghost, and you will discover that just under the grey skin is a very thin deep green layer that highlights the deep orange flesh. A real looker when lit at dusk with the orange glowing interior, dark green "eye liner" and the blue grey exterior. Culinary: Definitely yes. Silky smooth, sweet and flavourful -it's a must try! Superb storage potential (ie months). |