Calabaza

Calabaza is a round, pumpkin-like squash with variable sizes. It is primarily cultivated in the Caribbean and throughout Central and South America. Calabaza is characterized by its firm, bright orange flesh with a sweet flavor, similar to that of a butternut squash.

The seeds are also edible when toasted, known as pepitas. The squash is often used in cakes, stews, and candies, while the flowers, or flor de calabaza, are commonly used in quesadillas, empanadas, and pupusas as an ingredient.

The flesh is rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene, thiamine, and calcium, while the flowers are rich in iron and phosphorus. The seeds are believed to help with prostate and in the prevention of kidney stones, while the flowers are sometimes used against stomach inflammation, making calabaza squash a healthy, flavorful delicacy.