Oh my gourd

[Paulines7]

Here is another picture of my unknown squash plant.   Are they gourds or can they be eaten?   Please help!!  :-\

[Paulines7]

[Trixiebelle]

They look like fat yellow courgettes to me :D

Why not go into google.com, select 'images' and type in 'squash varieties'. There are loads of sites/pictures in there!

Hope this helps

Trixie X

[katynewbie]

 :-\

I thought that too, but as I have never grown them I was too shy to say!! They look lovely, reports from those who have them, please! Do they taste just like the green ones or is there a difference?

;D

[Paulines7]

Why not go into google.com, select 'images' and type in 'squash varieties'. There are loads of sites/pictures in there.
Trixie X

I have googled the squash varieties but still cannot find them.  It's the green bit at the end that makes me feel it is not a courgette.  I'm sure someone on here must have grown them for someone sent me the seeds!!!  Any more suggestions pleeeease.  ;D

[tricia]

I'm pretty sure they are courgettes Pauline. I'm growing 'Gold Rush' for the first time and the flowers start out with green tips that look like your fruit. Why don't you pick one, slice it and see if it looks and tastes like a courgette should. If it's tender when cooked it is sure to be one.

Tricia

[dandelion]

I have seen yellow and green fruits on seed packets of mixed ornamental gourds, for example:
http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/moreinfo.asp?pe=DBFBAIICQ_+GOURDS+ORNAMENTAL+Small+Fruited&cid=211
But I agree that the size and shape of yours looks more like a courgette.

[Paulines7]

I think you are right Dandelion.  I looked up the gourds and it would seem it is likely to be Cucurbita pepo var ovifera.  It is inedible but might make a good ornament or even a bird house.   ;D

I have picked a small one and we are going to slice it up in a minute and see what it tastes like.   ::)

[Paulines7]

We sliced it and it looked like a normal courgette so we dipped it in olive oil and lemon juice and cooked it on the barbie.   We are still alive to tell the tale.   ;D

[supersprout]

;D ;D ;D

[tricia]

yay ;D ;D ;D - all set for a bumper harvest now.We like bbq'd courgettes and peppers - yum :P

Tricia

[Paulines7]

I sent a photo of the plant and fruit to the RHS Wisley and this is their reply.

Thank you for your enquiry to the Royal Horticultural Society's Members’ Advisory Service.   Our Horticultural Advisor has the following information for you:

“It looks like a summer squash.  Summer squashes are preferred in North America to courgettes, called zucchini in the American dialect.
Ornamental gourds crop from along the vines, whereas the summer squash crops like a courgette. 
However, squashes, gourds and pumpkins are highly promiscuous so it is impossible to rule out some gourd ‘blood’ if home saved seed from mixed cropping is involved.”

So there we have it, gourds grow on vines and not on a bush like a courgette.  I am pleased that we will be able to eat the fruit from it and not suffer any ill effects.   ;D

[markfield rover]

We grew one last year that looks very similar
summer squash 'zephyr' I think Mr Fothergills
maybe worth a peep on ,online catalouge!

[dandelion]

Zephyr :) ! looks like your search is over Pauline!

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=zephyr%20squash&sa=N&tab=wi
It's an F1.

By the way, some courgettes DO grow on vines. I'm growing the round ones from Nice.

[Paulines7]

Thank you Markfield Rover for identifying the squash and Dandelion for looking up the web images.  Yes, that really does look like my squash apart from the fact that the one I took a picture of is now tha size of a small rugby ball!  I suppose it will be too far gone to slice and grill so maybe it should be cut up and roasted.

Markfield Rover, did your Zephyr have tiny bristles on the fruit? 

Dandelion, I have also got Nice de Ronde and find them very versatile.  They don't seem to have the seeds develop inside until they are very big so it means they can be sliced up and cooked even when they are about 8 inches in diameter.  they are the perfect shape for stuffing too.   ;D

[markfield rover]

Hi
yes to bristles !but my fav summer squash to date
i have some seeds of 'jaspee de vende' great taste
stores all winter but brill in late summer salads
quite melon like!would not be too late for this
year!cheers

[markfield rover]

sorry didnt make that clear!would you like some?

[Paulines7]

Yes please Markfield Rover, I would love to try them.    ;D    I will pm you with my address.

Coming back to the Zephyr again, did you eat the fruit as courgettes or let it grow into large squashes?  If the latter, how did you cook it please?

[markfield rover]

We ate them small ,but anything up to 8/9 inches is good!
I liked them best sliced ,boil for 5 mins drained ,a little
fried bacon and grated cheese....yummy
and ,as to bristles on zephyr  ,I have just picked a
costa romanesque courgette and I ve found a few
new acupuncture points!