Scallopini — Pattypan Summer Squash

A delightful summer vegetable with a distinctive scalloped shape, tender flesh and a lovely, delicate flavour.

Scallopini, also known as pattypan squash, is a wonderfully productive member of the courgette family. Its charming little flying-saucer-shaped fruits are delicious picked young, but equally useful when allowed to grow a little larger.

Whether simply cooked as a tender summer vegetable or hollowed out and stuffed, it's a fabulous addition to the kitchen garden.

Why I Grow It

I think scallopini are amongst the best courgettes you can grow.

They're absolutely delicious picked young, when the flesh is tender and the flavour is lovely and delicate.

But what I particularly enjoy is their versatility. Let them grow a little bigger and they become perfect little vessels for stuffing and baking.

I love growing vegetables that give you different possibilities in the kitchen depending on when you harvest them, and scallopini certainly earn their space in my garden.

In the Kitchen

Young scallopini are wonderful simply steamed, sautéed in olive oil or butter, or roasted alongside other summer vegetables.

Harvest them while small for tender skins and delicate flesh. There's no need to peel them.

For something a little different, let a few fruits grow larger and make stuffed scallopini.

Simple Stuffed Scallopini

1. Choose medium-sized scallopini and slice off the tops.

2. Scoop out the centres, leaving enough flesh to hold their shape.

3. Finely chop the scooped-out flesh and sauté with onion, garlic and olive oil.

4. Mix with cooked rice or breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, grated cheese and any other favourite additions.

5. Spoon the filling back into the scallopini, replace the tops and bake at approximately 180°C until the squash is tender and the filling is cooked through.

They're particularly lovely with basil, parsley, thyme and summer tomatoes.

In the Garden

Scallopini are productive, bush-growing summer squash plants with broad leaves and distinctive scalloped fruits.

They grow much like courgettes, enjoying warmth, sunshine and fertile soil.

The plants produce separate male and female flowers, which are visited by pollinating insects. Once fruiting begins, regular harvesting encourages further production.

Give each plant plenty of space, as the foliage can become quite substantial over summer.

Mature height: Approximately 45–75 cm
Spread: Approximately 90–120 cm
Harvest: Summer into autumn, while conditions remain warm
Growth habit: Bush-forming, warm-season annual

Care

• Position: Full sun.

• Soil: Rich, fertile, well-draining soil with plenty of compost.

• Planting: Plant outside after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed.

• Spacing: Approximately 90–120 cm between plants.

• Watering: Water deeply and consistently, especially during flowering and fruit development.

• Feeding: Add compost before planting and feed during the growing season if needed.

• Mulching: Mulch around the plant to conserve moisture and reduce soil splash.

• Pollination: Encourage bees and other pollinators for good fruit set.

  What You'll Receive

  One pot containing one healthy, seed-grown scallopini seedling.

  With plenty of sunshine, fertile soil and regular watering, this little plant can become a generous producer of delicious summer squash.