The courgette is the immature fruit of the Cucurbita pepo plant. It is gathered young, when it is about 20 centimetres long, stopping it from growing and maturing into a pumpkin. Unlike this last vegetable, the courgette is a food which is extremely widespread in Italian cooking. Considered a tasty and dietetic vegetable, they are normally cooked steamed or boiled and served with a drizzle of vinegar. At other times, they are used as an ingredient for soups, mixed salads and vegetable Macédoines.