Help Identify Squash

[kbuilta]

We have a nice 30' x 65' garden plot we're using for this growing season in a common area owned by the company I work for. Garden plots have been here for I don't know how many years. We planted a variety of things but there are a couple of things that may have volunteered from previous tenants.

One squash-like plant has produced something we didn't plant and we can't identify. Here's a picture:
[img]https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l105/php411/MysterySquash.jpg[/img]

It's skin looks like watermelon, it's shape is like a gourd, it smells a little like zucchini, its flesh and seeds look like squash, the "juice" is very astringent (I think it's not ripe). This particular fruit is about 10 inches long and 6 inches in diameter at one end and 5 inches in the narrower middle.

Any ideas??

Thanks so much.

[dinker]

Is it a hubbard squash

[kbuilta]

Other sources seem to indicate that Hubbard squash have tapered ends which this one doesn't have (at all).

Is it possible for cross-pollination to change the fruit of a squash plant and pickup characteristics of its neighbors? This plant is among a variety of pumpkin plants and yellow squash.

[dinker]

All summer squash, Halloween pumpkins, vegetable spaghetti, acorn squash, and small ornamental gourds are closely related and do cross if planted close to one another.

[kbuilta]

Aha, then this must be a Giant Squashucchinikin. Now if I could just figure out when the right time is to pick them .

[kbuilta]

Forgot to add...Thanks for the help!