  We give the superfield quantization of chiral/nonminimal (CNM) scalar
multiplets defined by pairs of N=1 chiral and complex linear scalar superfields
kinematically coupled. In the pure massive case we develop the covariant
quantization when CNM multiplets are coupled to background gauge superfields.
Furthermore, we study some properties of N=1 supersymmetric Yang--Mills
theories constructed using CNM scalar matter superfields. In particular, we
compute the one--loop contribution to the effective action for the matter
superfields, we study the analogue of the Konishi anomaly and discuss some
properties of the glueball superpotential.
