An elegant Italian in a pinstripe suit, devilishly handsome and very delectable. Hardworking too, producing plenty of beautiful vegetables to pick at any size; at 5cm they’re a delicacy, about 20cm is most common, but leave them a little longer and you’ll be able to feed a family. The flavour holds well at all sizes with a nice nuttiness. And those big golden male flowers are a treat to eat.

Like all Italians, zucchinis like their food – rich soil and regular feeding will keep them producing at their best. The leaves develop a natural silvery mottling, not to be mistaken for mildew. As the plants begin to set fruit, avoid that mildew by watering often at the base of the plant. An 1800s Italian heirloom still widely grown today.