Squash Marina de Chioggia

You know you’re an excellent heirloom squash when you’re named after a town. This variety hails from the small Italian seaside village of Chioggia, and is quite possibly the best thing the village has ever produced. Marina Di Chioggia is a turban squash (shaped like one, doesn’t come wearing one) and has greyish blue-green skin, which is nearly completely covered in bumps.

Its taste makes up for its slightly terrifying appearance. Look past the warts and the Marina de Chioggia has dense, slightly sweet flesh, which works beautifully in gnocchi, ravioli or soup. And that’s why your mom taught you not to judge books by covers.