Vegetable
Costata Romanesco
A tier
Costata Romanesco is an Italian ribbed zucchini with raised grey-green ridges, dense flesh that stays firmer when cooked, and outstanding nutty flavour—often rated above smooth dark types by chefs. Flowers are large and prized. Fruit is best medium; ridges brown handsomely on the grill. Grill on the ribs, fry blossoms, or sauté thick slices that do not collapse as fast as watery hybrids. Heirloom vines can sprawl more than bush Black Beauty.
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History
Romanesco ribbed zucchini types were grown in Italian market gardens.
Costata Romanesco became a named Roman regional summer squash.
US specialty growers and chefs rediscovered Costata Romanesco.
Seed catalogues featured Costata as a premium-flavour zucchini.