Giant Mayo Pumpkin (Lagenaria Siceraria)

Mayo Giant Squash (Lagenaria Siceraria): This lagenaria, cultivated by the Mayo people in Mexico, was sent to us by an association of

natives (or better yet, of Native Amerindian people) to protect the

Cultivation by rodents and porcupines, as the leaves smell unpleasant. The solution works, but when the fields began to occupy a large area, we had to resort to other means, so it remained on the sidelines for a few seasons. Until, while researching edible lagenaria (such as Sicilian, snake, and giant lagenaria), we reconsidered it: it appears without a doubt

on a painting by Caravaggio "Still Life with Fruit" dated

at the beginning of the 17th century, together with other species recently arrived from

New World (clearly similar to "Zucca Tonda Padana" ), all edible. Therefore, it's most likely not the first time it's made this journey across the ocean. We rule out its use as a manufactured product, since it's too large to be used as a container for liquids. We're planning on trying it out on the table next season (spring '23).
Growing it is like most cultivars of the species: very hardy, almost as vigorous as a wild one, a single plant can cover 20 square meters in optimal conditions. You can grow it alongside pumpkins of the cucurbita species to protect them from porcupines and rodents, placing the latter in the center. Obviously, pinch the Mayo Giant to avoid competing with the others.