zucca torta
/ˈd͡zuk.ka ˈtor.ta/word by wordfeminine
The English phrase 'butternut squash' is translated into Italian as zucca torta. Wiktionary also lists zucca pepona.
Meaning: Cucurbita moschata cultivar (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zucca torta | /ˈd͡zuk.ka ˈtor.ta/ (word by word) | feminine |
| zucca pepona | feminine |
The phrase refers to the Cucurbita moschata cultivar.
Which one should you use?
zucca torta and zucca pepona are both feminine nouns used to refer to this type of squash.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both zucca torta and zucca pepona are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈdzuk.ka ˈtor.ta/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word torta in zucca torta does not mean 'cake' or 'pie' as it often does in English. Instead, it stems from the Latin word for 'twisted', describing the unique, curved shape of the squash.
- The term zucca is often used in Italian idioms to refer to a person's head or intelligence, such as calling someone a 'hollow' zucca.
- The term pepona in zucca pepona comes from a root related to the Greek word for melon or gourd, subtly shifting the botanical family the listener might imagine.
Examples in context
- La mia pasta con la zucca moscata è deliziosa!My pasta with butternut squash is delicious!
- Devo comprare una zucca torta al mercato.I need to buy a butternut squash at the market.
- Preferisco la zucca torta alla zucca comune.I prefer butternut squash to common squash.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- LorenzoCosa cuciniamo stasera, Sofia?What are we cooking tonight, Sofia?
- SofiaPossiamo fare un risotto con la zucca torta.We can make a risotto with butternut squash.
- LorenzoOttima idea, ne abbiamo ancora in frigo?Great idea, do we still have some in the fridge?
- SofiaSì, Lorenzo, ne resta un pezzo.Yes, Lorenzo, there is a piece left.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butternut squash” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (zucca, torta) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries torta, zucca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
