I planted all sorts of seeds — zucchini, summer squash, butternut squash, tiny melons, and pumpkins. I felt pretty proud when I saw squash that looked almost like summer squash — almost being the key word. Squash, zucchini and summer squash are pictured above. Sometimes, squash can have a toxic compound called cucurbitacin E. This compound can create a condition called “Toxic Squash Syndrome.” Bitter melon or Momoridica charantia is a tropical or sub-tropical melon that we can grow in our own gardens.