大象传媒

Native to the south eastern United States, the Candy Roaster squash gains its name from its sweet taste, likened to popping confectionery. It is a food prized by the Cherokee tribe for its long shelf life, ability to withstand frosts and prickly vine which deters pests, and is said to embody the wisdom of an entire culture, having been nurtured by hundreds of generations who have used taste to determine what is edible and nutritive in one鈥檚 environment.

Dan Saladino hears from David Shields, a professor at South Carolina University who explains the difficulties the squash has faced over the last century, and how Cherokee descendants and maverick chefs were determined not to let the squashes disappear.