{"title":"Rare Moschata Collection","description":"\u003cp\u003eHard-to-find \u003cem\u003eCucurbita moschata\u003c\/em\u003e varieties from around the world. Japanese, Italian, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian heirlooms, each with distinctive flavors, forms, and natural vine borer resistance. For the adventurous grower who wants something beyond the ordinary.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"shishigatani-squash-seeds-rare-kyoto-heirloom","title":"Shishigatani Squash Seeds, Rare Kyoto Heirloom","description":"\u003cp class=\"product-tagline\" style=\"font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:500;margin-bottom:16px;color:#1c0f06;\"\u003eShishigatani Squash Seeds, a rare Kyoto heirloom (\u003cem\u003eCucurbita moschata\u003c\/em\u003e) and official \u003cem\u003ekyo yasai\u003c\/em\u003e traditional vegetable since the 1800s. Vine borer resistant with distinctive hourglass shape. Shipped from Kansas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0.8rem 0;padding:0.6rem 1rem;background:#f0f7e6;border-left:3px solid #6b8e3a;font-size:0.9rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🌱 Free Shipping on Orders $25+\u003c\/strong\u003e, ships from Newton, Kansas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0.5rem 0 1rem;font-size:0.9rem;\"\u003e📖 \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/growing-guides\/shishigatani-squash-growing-the-rare-kyoto-heirloom-in-kansas\" style=\"color:#6b8e3a;\"\u003eRead our complete growing guide for this variety →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eA Temple Vegetable from the Streets of Kyoto\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince the early 1800s, Shishigatani has been one of the official \u003cem\u003ekyo yasai\u003c\/em\u003e ,  the traditional vegetables of the Kyoto region, a short list of heirlooms so tied to Japanese culture that the regional government formally protects them. Buddhist priests have grown this squash in temple gardens and cooked it in \u003cem\u003eshojin ryori\u003c\/em\u003e, the austere, vegetable-centered cuisine of Zen monasteries, for generations. It is one of the oldest continuously cultivated vegetables in Japanese history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd almost nobody in the American seed market carries it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat Makes It Different\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShishigatani is unmistakable. The deeply ribbed and warted skin starts green and slowly turns a warm tan-brown as it ripens, developing a texture that looks almost ancient. At 110 days it has one of the longer maturity windows in our catalog, but patience pays off. The flesh inside is a delicate pale yellow, completely different from the orange of most winter squash, with a fine-grained, dry texture and a mild, clean sweetness that disappears entirely in soups and braises. It holds its shape exceptionally well when cooked, which is why Buddhist temple cooks have used it for centuries in dishes where the vegetable needs to carry the meal without falling apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is not a loud vegetable. It is a precise one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy It Grows Well Here\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShishigatani is Cucurbita moschata, the same species as Seminole, Thai Kang Kob, and Waltham Butternut. That matters for Kansas and Midwest gardeners because moschata varieties carry natural resistance to the squash vine borer, the pest that kills most backyard squash before it produces anything worth harvesting. You do not need to spray. You do not need row covers. The plant handles it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant after last frost when soil is warm. Give it room to run or train it up a trellis. Water deeply and step back. At 110 days it is one of the slower maturing squash in the garden, so plan your start date accordingly for your region.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cucurbita moschata\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 110 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlesh:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale yellow, fine-grained, dry texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deeply ribbed and warted, turns tan-brown at maturity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVine borer resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, naturally, as C. moschata\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed saving:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open-pollinated, non-GMO. Save seed from your best fruit and replant every year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant after:\u003c\/strong\u003e Last frost, soil temperature 60 degrees or above\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 to 6 feet between plants, or train vertically on a trellis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soups, braises, tempura, shojin ryori, roasted whole\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe pale yellow flesh and dry texture make Shishigatani better suited for some preparations than the denser orange moschata varieties. It absorbs broth and seasoning beautifully without going mushy, which makes it exceptional in slow-cooked soups and Japanese-style simmered dishes. Cut into large pieces, simmered in dashi with a little soy sauce and mirin, and it becomes something genuinely extraordinary. It also roasts well whole, and because the flesh is drier than most squash, it holds together cleanly when sliced.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you have never cooked with a pale-fleshed squash before, the flavor is milder and more delicate than orange-fleshed varieties. It pairs well with subtle broths and seasoning rather than aggressive spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShips from Newton, Kansas. Open-pollinated, non-GMO. A legitimate piece of culinary history you can grow in your own backyard.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top:16px;\"\u003e📖 \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/growing-guides\/shishigatani-squash-growing-the-rare-kyoto-heirloom-in-kansas\"\u003eComplete Shishigatani Growing Guide\u003c\/a\u003e, planting tips, harvest timing, and kitchen uses for Kansas Zone 6b gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌱 \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vine-borer-resistant\"\u003eBrowse all vine borer resistant varieties →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌻 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/autumnprairiepumpkins.com\/pages\/kansas-garden-seeds\"\u003eSee our Kansas growing guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Autumn Prairie Pumpkins","offers":[{"title":"10 Seeds","offer_id":46519245799613,"sku":"APP-SEED-MSCH-SHISHI-10","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20 Seeds","offer_id":46519245832381,"sku":"APP-SEED-MSCH-SHISHI-20","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0749\/0335\/5581\/files\/SHISHIGATANI-PumpkinSeed2.jpg?v=1773973132"},{"product_id":"sucrine-du-berry-squash-seeds","title":"Sucrine Du Berry Squash Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003eSucrine du Berry is one of France's most celebrated heirloom squashes, and genuinely rare. It comes from the Berry region of central France, where it has been grown for generations. Slow Food placed it on their Ark of Taste to help prevent it from disappearing entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe vines produce 5 to 8 elongated, pear-shaped fruits with deep green skin that turns a warm ochre as they cure. Cut one open and you'll find dense, orange flesh that is juicier and sweeter than a butternut, with a rich musky sweetness that French cooks have long used in jams, soups, and gratins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHY GROW SUCRINE DU BERRY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCucurbita moschata, naturally resistant to squash vine borers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 to 8 fruits per plant, each weighing 2 to 6 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSweet, non-fibrous orange flesh, excellent for soups, roasting, and baking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStores 4 to 6 months in a cool, dry place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlow Food Ark of Taste variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGROWING NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n100 days to maturity. Start indoors 3 to 4 weeks before last frost, or direct seed when soil reaches 70F. Transplant carefully, squash does not tolerate disturbed roots. Needs rich, well-drained soil and full sun. Harvest when rinds turn hard and stems begin to dry. Germinates in 5 to 10 days at 70 to 95F soil temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a moschata variety, which means it carries natural resistance to squash vine borers. For gardeners who have lost summer crops to vine borers, moschata varieties are the practical choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePacked for 2026. Ships from Newton, Kansas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e See our full \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/growing-guides\/sucrine-du-berry-squash-growing-the-rare-french-heirloom-in-kansas\"\u003eSucrine du Berry growing guide\u003c\/a\u003e for Kansas-specific planting timing, spacing, harvest tips, and seed saving instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelated Varieties:\u003c\/strong\u003e Also grows well alongside \u003ca href=\"\/products\/violina-rugosa-butternut-seeds-italian-heirloom-winter-squash\"\u003eViolina Rugosa Butternut\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/musquee-de-provence-pumpkin-seeds\"\u003eMusquee de Provence\u003c\/a\u003e, both moschata heirlooms with similar culture and storage qualities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Autumn Prairie Pumpkins","offers":[{"title":"10 Seeds","offer_id":46743457464509,"sku":"APP-SEED-MOSCHATA-SUCRINE-DU-BERRY-10","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20 Seeds","offer_id":46743457497277,"sku":"APP-SEED-MOSCHATA-SUCRINE-DU-BERRY-20","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0749\/0335\/5581\/files\/98b08ffb486a5f0cd0a036818ce00b5f.png?v=1778017283"},{"product_id":"chirimen-squash-seeds-rare-japanese-kabocha-heirloom","title":"Chirimen Squash Seeds, Rare Japanese Kabocha Heirloom","description":"\u003cp\u003eChirimen is one of Japan's most prized traditional squash varieties, a deeply ribbed, warted kabocha-type that has been grown for centuries in Japanese gardens. The name means \"crepe\" in Japanese, a reference to the distinctive crinkled, textured skin that makes each fruit look like it was carved rather than grown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes Chirimen worth growing in a Kansas garden: it is Cucurbita moschata, which means it carries natural resistance to squash vine borers, the pest that wipes out most pumpkins before they even set fruit. You get the beauty and sweetness of a Japanese kabocha, with the toughness of a moschata vine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Variety\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark green skin that ripens to rich bronze-orange as it matures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeeply ribbed and heavily warted exterior, each fruit looks genuinely one of a kind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDense, sweet orange flesh, dry texture, perfect for roasting, tempura, soups, and pies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFruits run 5–11 lbs each, with prolific vines producing 8 or more fruits per plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100–120 days to maturity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent storage, keeps well into winter without refrigeration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow after last frost, or start indoors 2–3 weeks early. Chirimen thrives in full sun with consistent moisture. As a Cucurbita moschata, it is highly resistant to squash vine borers and handles summer heat well. Harvest when skin hardens fully and stem begins to dry. Cure in a sunny spot for 10 days before storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIn Your Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChirimen's dense, dry flesh is the squash that cooks actually want. Roast it, steam it, use it in tempura or nimono. The flavor is deep, sweet, and slightly nutty, closer to a chestnut than a typical squash. It stores for months without losing quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You'll Receive\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO Chirimen Squash seeds packed for 2026. From our small-batch seed inventory at Autumn Prairie Pumpkins, Newton, Kansas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eResults depend on your soil, climate, and growing conditions. Not certified heirloom.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/growing-guides\/how-to-grow-chirimen-squash\"\u003eRead the full Chirimen Squash Growing Guide →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Autumn Prairie Pumpkins","offers":[{"title":"10 Seeds","offer_id":46756753637565,"sku":"APP-SEED-CMOS-CHIRIMEN-10","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20 Seeds","offer_id":46756753670333,"sku":"APP-SEED-CMOS-CHIRIMEN-20","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0749\/0335\/5581\/files\/Cucurbita-moschata-Chirimen_jpg.webp?v=1778639579"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0749\/0335\/5581\/collections\/Guatemalan-Green-Ayote-CW3.jpg?v=1774529998","url":"https:\/\/autumnprairiepumpkins.com\/collections\/rare-moschata-collection.oembed","provider":"Autumn Prairie Pumpkins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}