I bought a packet of cheap seeds that said 'Mixed gourds' from Lidl and they are growing like wildfire. Don't know what to do with them now. Some are round and green but there is one particularly healthy one which is pear shaped but bigger than pear size, green at the bottom half and bright yellow at the top. Don't know how to add photos on here or I would add one. Any idea what it could be and should I cook it just like butternut squash, for example?
Thanx
Lizann
I've always thought gourds were mainly ornamental and not worth eating.
We grew "Carnival" which claimed to be both ornamental and edible but
tasted terrible yet was pretty. I'd just let them go dry on the vine and use them as
decorations.
Lizann
word of caution. Some ornamental squash plants (aka gourds) are bitter. If a plant has one bitter fruit, the rest will be bitter too. If a plant has non-bitter fruit, all fruit will be edible.
The bitterness is not really dangerous, but nasty and could make you vomit. It is akin to the bitter stuff sold in bottles that is supposed to stop thumb sucking.
From any non bitter plants you can harvest young fruits and cook them like courgettes.
Which one? XX Jeannine
So sorry, just realised you posted pics! It's the one on the right. Didn't eat any, was too scared! And I had loads as well.
Thanks.
Lizann