Cucurbita argyrosperma

Description

Ha:l is an important food crop for the Tohono Oˊodham. It is planted with great ceremony, songs and blessings just before the summer rains. It is heat tolerant and, using the ak-chin (flood farming) method, needs no additional water beyond the water supplied by the monsoon. There are many varieties of Ha:l with varying colors, shapes and sizes. All parts of the plant are edible and they are most commonly eaten boiled or steamed. They can also be peeled, sliced and sun-dried for storage. Ha:l is high in vitamin A and beta carotene. The shells can be used as containers.

Gourds, squash, and pumpkins are closely related, both being in the genus Cucurbita. See "More Information", below, for the US distribution of members of this genus.