Author Topic: Why do people grow courgettes? (Read 6978 times)

triffid · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2006, 09:17:35 »

;D @ idea of too many courgettes
My kids did the seeds for mine this year: there were 10 in the pack and I was so glad when only 7 came up!

I freecycled quite a few of leftover perishable seeds earlier this year. Can't remember though how long courgette seeds stay viable for... do you know?

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2006, 09:33:03 »

I don't grow them; I don't like the things. It's not compulsory.

Hyacinth · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2006, 10:11:38 »

Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on July 31, 2006, 09:33:03

I don't grow them; I don't like the things. It's not compulsory.

Wonderful reply, Robert ;D ;D ;D

CotswoldLass · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2006, 11:43:52 »

Perfectly put Robert!
Used to grow them, always had a glut, now don't grow them.
Easy!

CLx

Dunc_n_Tricia · « **Reply #24 on:** July 31, 2006, 14:04:02 »

We're in the middle of a glut too, but can usually find something to do with courgettes.

I've just bottled a big pan full of Greek style vegetable stew which used up 7 courgettes (and 8 patty pan squashes too). We'll be eating briam all through winter without buying expensive out-of-season veg from the supermarket. It goes great with any meat or fish, or as a snack on its own. I'll probably be making more this week.

I got a recipe for marrow chutney from a friend of mine, which also has apples, sultanas, raisins and spices in it. makes a really nice spiced chutney, and you can use courgettes in the recipe instead. There is one pronounced side effect however - a strong desire to buy large chunks of cheddar or wensleydale to eat it with ;D ;D ;D

Another friend of mine likes to cut them in half, top them with sage and onion stuffing, wrap them in tin foil and cook in the oven or on the barbie. He can't get enough of them!!! :P

If you are having a barbie, cut a courgette lengthways into slices (about 4 from an average courgette). Marinade in olive oil, garlic and some dried oregano for at least 30 minutes. Cook on the barbie for a couple of minutes on either side until they are slightly browned - then tell me thet courgettes have no flavour ;) You can do them on the griddle as well.

Tricia :-*

p.s. It might be a glut, but that glut only lasts for a couple of months. Try to find ways of preserving them (or things you make with them) for the other ten. A freezer is the easiest, but bottling is easy when you get the hang of it.

bennettsleg · « **Reply #25 on:** July 31, 2006, 15:12:31 »

I actually like courgettes and have a whole host of recipes and preserving methods all lined up for my much awaited glut. However, I'm the only person on this site who is so rubbish at gardening that I haven't yet got a single one! Most narked!

Hey well, it's the enthusiasm that matters, surely! ::) ;D

What's the opposite for "green fingered"?

sally_cinnamon · « **Reply #26 on:** July 31, 2006, 15:33:39 »

Quote from: triffid on July 31, 2006, 09:03:31

I must make note about Jemmer, Curry -- was wondering about growing a yellow courgette next year. Thanks for the recommendation! :)

Glad they've been recommended - I'm growing Orelia and they started off well, producing lots of lovely little courgettes, but now I'm getting nothing except withered brown stumpy bits. I've bought Jemmer seeds for next year.

supersprout · « **Reply #27 on:** July 31, 2006, 16:19:56 »

Quote from: bennettsleg on July 31, 2006, 15:12:31

I'm the only person on this site who is so rubbish at gardening that I haven't yet got a single one! Most narked!

Close behind you leggy, I have had three so far cos they were planted late. And I love courgettes too, crunch up the round ones like apples :P

tim · « **Reply #28 on:** July 31, 2006, 16:21:02 »

Not compulsory. Robert? Should be. Great discipline!

French Beans - qualifying what I said - home grown ones do taste of french bean but I'm not keen on the flavour!! Great as a foil though.

prink13 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 31, 2006, 16:30:51 »

I love courgettes, as a hippy vegetarian, they are a staple throughout the winter months, in veggie lasagnes and mousakas etc.

Heldi · « **Reply #30 on:** July 31, 2006, 17:11:48 »

I like courgettes too. This is my first time growing them and I am wondering if I'll have the same glut experience. It almost seems like a right of passage!

I like aubs aswell. I grew Mohican last year in the conservatory. Think they were mohican. They were white and egg shaped. They were lovely! I haven't got any this year,time passed me by and I forgot to sow any :(

CotswoldLass · « **Reply #31 on:** July 31, 2006, 18:25:13 »

Adore Aubs - adore Moussaka! Didn't get any in this year though due to the move. CLx

tim · « **Reply #32 on:** July 31, 2006, 18:46:08 »

There might be a couple when you visit? Can't promise!

CotswoldLass · « **Reply #33 on:** July 31, 2006, 19:35:26 »

Ah ha! Have to visit the quack in not too distant...

caroline7758 · « **Reply #34 on:** July 31, 2006, 20:04:06 »

The best thing about having a glut is being able to give them away to friends and neighbours!You freecycled the seeds, why noy freecycle the fruits!

Tulipa · « **Reply #35 on:** July 31, 2006, 23:49:59 »

I have grown an ordinary Zucchini and Orelia and the Orelia have definitely been the more popular in our house, even my boys who are not courgette fans have been eating them, they are so much sweeter than the green ones. I can really recommend them.

I went away for a week, having stripped the plants bare and came back to 10 huge marrow sized courgettes, they have grown so quickly, I have been searching out marrow chutney and ginger jam to make tomorrow.

And my plums are ready, and gooseberries and currants - I am going to be so busy..... It's lovely!

moonbells · « **Reply #36 on:** August 01, 2006, 12:26:12 »

I could grow them to distraction - love the plants, always have. As a child it was marrows that got me growing veg in the first place, and to me there's nothing like the partnership of runner beans and baked buttered marrow with bechamel sauce...

I was a bit late to courgettes - still prefer marrow - but you can do a lot with the courgettes. I grate them into coleslaw, cube them and open freeze them so I can get free-flowing bags for instant veg in the winter, slice or cube and cook into ratatouille, saute in butter... failing that, I can leave them in the kitchen at work and they vanish magically!

moonbells

dirtyfingernails · « **Reply #37 on:** August 01, 2006, 13:16:50 »

I love courgettes - one of my favourite ways is to add them to a tomato pasta sauce just after frying the onions and garlic then add tins of tomatoes, wine, tom purree and mixed herbs and let it cook slowly for an hour or so until it's thickened - I made a big batch of this last week and froze portions - lovely

When I was in greece earlier in the year I had some fantastic courgette fritters - I'm sure they had a bit of feta cheese in but when I tried to recreate the recipe they all fell to bits

any ideas? any good courgette fritter recipes out there?

supersprout · « **Reply #38 on:** August 01, 2006, 14:32:53 »

Quote from: moonbells on August 01, 2006, 12:26:12

love the plants, always have. As a child it was marrows that got me growing veg in the first place

snap :D

grawrc · « **Reply #39 on:** August 01, 2006, 19:47:39 »

Another 2 beautiful Rondo de Nizza today. Unfortunately I had left my knife at home so they will probably be football size tomorrow. ::) :o ;D

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Author Topic: Why do people grow courgettes? (Read 6978 times)