The squash (Patison) or pattypan in English is an odd shaped vegetable which when ripe is a bright colour yellow. It is characterised by its small size and scallop edges. It is a member of the squash (Patison) family and in Mauritius it is normally sautéed, cooked, boiled, fried as well as sometimes grated raw with vinegar to create a salad.

Health Benefits

1. Good for Your Eyes
Eating this vegetable regularly can keep your vision keen too. The beta-carotene and lutein in squash, as well as vitamin C and other antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, are good for the eyes and can help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

2. Good for Your Heart
Squash (Patison) can keep your heart ticking through their abundant supply of carotenoids. It can help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, as well as downregulate the expression of specific genes linked to heart disease.

3. Good for Balancing Blood Sugar
Researchers in Iran tested the power of banana squash (Patison) to control blood glucose in critically ill diabetic patients. However, the powdered banana squash (Patison) was a “fast and effective” treatment for critically ill diabetic patients as it reduced sugar level.

4. Good for Your Hair and Skin
It should also be on the menu if you want healthy hair and skin. However, it  rejuvenates the body and slows down aging.

5. Cancer-Fighting Compounds
The health benefits of this vegatable  contain many bioactive compounds that fight cancer. From combatting genotoxins (toxic agents that damage DNA molecules and cause mutations and tumors) and cytotoxins (compounds that damage all cells. However, pretty much indiscriminately), to triggering programmed cell death in damaged cells that might otherwise turn cancerous (a process known as apoptosis).