Sicilian Caccuzza :: What the Gourd is That Thing?! (Recipes Included)
If you have shopped at Zuppardo’s recently and wondered what those giant, green baseball bat-looking things are, it’s a cucuzza. It breaks my Sicilian heart when I hear fellow paisans from my generation say they have no clue what a cucuzza is. Let’s start with the pronunciation: ku-KOO-za, or as many New Orleanians say: goo-GOO-z. The season for this giant squash/gourd runs from about mid-summer to late fall in Louisiana.
I don’t remember the first time I had the unusual squash. But, I do remember sitting in my great-grandmother’s kitchen at her square table with a vinyl tablecloth adorned with strawberries, her favorite. I remember her explaining to me that Cucuzza should be made with a light red sauce because it’s summer time and hot, so you don’t want a heavy red gravy. Thankfully, my mother still has the recipe (in my great-grandmother’s handwriting).
This year, I had the urge to cook Cucuzza for Father’s Day. I called Zuppardo’s Saturday night, and they said they had two left. I told them to hold it for me and don’t dare let anyone else take it. When I got to Zuppardo’s, my gorgeous gourd was waiting for me. After issuing many thanks to the young produce employee, he kindly asked me, “What do you do with that?” That’s when I had the inspiration to share with you all some recipes for Cucuzzas.
I have bad news. I wasn’t granted permission to share my great-grandmother’s recipe with you all. You know how the Sicilians get with their family recipes. But I did find some really great ones online that are similar to ours.
Recipes:
Cuccuzza with red gravy over angel hair pasta
(The above is very similar to our family recipe. We like to add Italian sausage.)
Fried Cuccuzza
Stuffed Cuccuzza
Plant the seeds from your Cucuzza along the fence and, next summer, you may have your very own vines of gourds growing. Next time you find yourself staring at that green baseball bat in the produce section. Pick it up, put it in your basket, and head to the olive oil aisle. Mangia!
