Gem squash is a variety of summer squash that was domesticated from two wild varieties. The dark green spherical fruit, when fully ripe, is about the size of a baseball (slightly larger than a tennis ball). The fruit needs to be boiled or baked in order to render it palatable. The young fruit is often harvested before it is ripe (about golf ball size) due to its having a more delicate flavour and texture.

A commonly served vegetable in South Africa, the cooked gem squash is generally cut in half, and the inside is covered in butter or brown sugar to enhance flavour.