Calabaza

Huge crescent slices of glaringly bright orange calabaza (kah-lah-BAH-sa) are one of the memorable sights in vegetable markets throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean, where this versatile squash is daily fare. Though usually sold in hunks (since few could tote the entire large vegetable), the calabaza may also be as small as a honeydew, round, or slightly pear-shaped. The mottled skin may be ever-green, sunset, or buff, speckled or striated, but is always relatively smooth and hard-shelled when mature.