Since we all need a little zucchini squash trivia in our lives: did you know that the heaviest zucchini squash on record weighed in at 64 pounds, 8 ounces? Grown in the United Kingdom, it was harvested in 1990. At Perry Wellness Center, we may not set any world records for harvested crops – except when it comes to enthusiasm. But we did recently weigh in one squash that exceed 4 pounds in weight!

Kenneth Christmas is a member of the culinary staff responsible for the selection of the fresh produce needed for daily cafeteria menus. This week he had a variety of choices from the harvest of one peer’s gardening efforts.

“This squash, cucumbers, and peppers are from a peer’s raised bed garden,” Kenneth explained. “I guess they wanted to show off their talents. I can make stir fry, stewed zucchini, zucchini casserole with cheese, and other tasty casseroles with these large vegetables.”

Struck by the size of the squash, Kenneth decided to weigh them and was surprised to see that they tipped the market scales at 2.25 lbs., 3.5 lbs., and a very healthy 4.25 lbs.

“When I saw these squash, I knew it was past time to gather them for our cafeteria,” said peer Rhonda Hubbard. “The food at Perry Wellness Center is great, and these squash will serve many peers and staff.”

Rhonda, the unofficial hostess at Perry Wellness Center, added, “We invite customers to visit Happy Patch Market to see our growing selection of area-grown produce.”

In the photo below, Rhonda Hubbard and Tim Davenport smilingly display some of the large zucchini harvest.