Cucurbita moschata is a species originating in either Central America or northern South America. It includes cultivars of squash and pumpkin. C. moschata cultivars are generally more tolerant of hot, humid weather than cultivars of C. maxima or C. pepo. They also generally display a greater resistance to disease and insects, especially to the squash vine borer. Commercially made pumpkin pie mix is most often made from varieties of C. moschata. The ancestral species of the genus Cucurbita were present in the Americas before the arrival of humans. Evolutionarily speaking the genus is relatively recent in origin as no species within the genus is genetically isolated from all the other species. C. moschata acts as the genetic bridge within the genus and is closest to the genus' progenitor. Cultivars include:
- Butternut squash, also an "Avalon butternut" variety
- Dickinson field pumpkin - 'Libby's Select' uses the Select Dickinson Pumpkin variety of C. moschata for its canned pumpkins
- Kentucky field pumpkin
- Long Island cheese pumpkin - exterior resembles a wheel of cheese in shape, color, and texture
- Calabaza - a commonly grown squash in Cuba and Puerto Rico
- Tromboncino - a summer squash, also known as "Zucchetta"
- Seminole pumpkin - a squash cultivated by the Seminole Indians of Florida
- Neck pumpkin - the ancestor of butternut squash and ideal for pumpkin pie. Most popular in the Mid-Atlantic states of the United States, particularly in areas with an Amish influence.
- Long of Naples squash
- Giromon - A large, green cultivar, grown primarily in the Antilles. Haitians use it to make the traditional "soupe giromon", in celebration of Haitian Independence on New Year's Day.