Calabaza

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Calabasas is also a city in California

Calabaza (sometimes spelled calabasa, not to be confused with a calabash) is a kind of squash commonly eaten in Latin America, the Philippines, and the Caribbean. It grows about the same size as a pumpkin, with a green or yellow skin color and a yellowy-orange flesh. Calabasa, however, can refer to any kind of squash in the Spanish language.

[edit] Culinary use

Its use as a food originated in prehispanic Mesoamerica as one of the "three sisters". From there, it probably spread to other regions via Spanish colonial influence.

It is eaten many different ways, such as in stews, cakes, and candies. Some recipes that call for pumpkin allow calabaza to be used in its place. The taste is smooth and somewhat sweet.

The flower of the calabaza (flor de calabaza), is used as an ingredient in quesadillas in Mexican cuisine, and in pupusas in Salvadorian cuisine.

Calabaza is a good source of Vitamin A.