[Aztlan] squash

[Nick Hopkins]

OK, for openers, a quick scan of the the Mayan Etymological  
Dictionary suggests that the Proto-Mayas of ca. 2000 BC had pumpkins  
(calabaza, ayote, in the MED) called *k'uhm, and they ate their  
seeds, *sakil (pepita de ayote), probably after roasting them (*k'il,  
to roast seeds).

Words for other squashes are more limited in distribution, suggesting  
later introduction.  Chayotes, for instance (AKA güisquil), have  
distinct names in Eastern and Western Mayan, namely EM *ch'imaah, GQ  
[Chujean, Qanjobal, Kotoke] *tzo'yol, GTz-Was *ch'um.  The Highland  
Mayas EM and GQ share a term for the flower of the winter squash  
(flor de chilacayote), *'atz'uum (the flower of *q'ohq',  
chilacayote), suggesting they enjoyed squash-blossom soups.

Bear in mind that the IDs are based on Spanish popular names, not  
botanical investigations, and a more rigorous search thru the source 
(s) might add quite a lot to this sketch.

Nick Hopkins