Calabaza Squash Seeds | Cucurbita moschata | Puerto Rican Pumpkin | Caribbean Heirloom | 80 Days

Calabaza Squash Seeds – Puerto Rican Pumpkin | Caribbean Heirloom

Calabaza (Cucurbita moschata) is the quintessential pumpkin of the Caribbean and Latin America — a creeping, vigorous annual tropical vine that produces large, round to irregular fruits with brilliant bright orange, sweet flesh. Known across the region by many names — Jamaican Pumpkin, Haitian Pumpkin, West Indian Pumpkin, Abóbora, and Cuban Squash — Calabaza is a cornerstone of Caribbean, Central American, South American, and Chinese Caribbean cooking. A true heirloom variety: open-pollinated, organically grown, and handed down through generations of island gardeners.

Plants produce large, lobed leaves and branching tendrils across a wide spreading vine. Bright yellow flowers are pollinated by bees. The dense, sweet orange flesh is rich in Vitamin A and C and high in dietary fiber. Matures in approximately 80 days. Thrives in heat and humidity — an ideal choice for warm-climate and tropical garden growing.

Variety Details

• Botanical Name: Cucurbita moschata
• Common Names: Calabaza, Puerto Rican Pumpkin, Jamaican Pumpkin, Haitian Pumpkin, West Indian Pumpkin, Cuban Squash, Abóbora, Caribbean Pumpkin
• Type: Annual tropical vine — open-pollinated heirloom; organically grown
• Flesh: Bright orange, sweet, dense
• Maturity: Approximately 80 days from transplant
• Nutrition: High in dietary fiber; rich in Vitamins A and C
• Pollination: Bee-pollinated; plant multiple plants for best fruit set

Planting Guide

• Starting indoors: Sow seeds 4 weeks before last frost in individual pots — squash dislikes root disturbance, so use biodegradable pots or large cells.
• Direct sowing: Sow directly outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed. Seeds germinate in approximately 7–14 days.
• Site: Full sun — Calabaza loves heat and thrives in warm, humid conditions.
• Soil: Rich, warm, well-draining soil. Amend with compost before planting for best results.
• Spacing: Space plants 4 feet apart within rows; rows 6–9 feet apart to allow the vines to sprawl.
• Season: Plant in late spring and summer. Calabaza is heat-tolerant and performs best when temperatures are consistently warm.
• Watering: Water regularly, especially during fruit development. Avoid wetting foliage to reduce disease risk.

Culinary Uses

• Caribbean soups and stews — the defining ingredient in sancocho, pumpkin soup, and bean stews
• Roasted or steamed as a side dish
• Substitutes for pumpkin or butternut squash in any recipe
• Stuffing for enchiladas, quesadillas, empanadas, and tacos
• Baking — pies, puddings, cakes, and bread
• Stir-fries and curries in Caribbean-Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking
• Seeds are edible — roast for a nutritious snack