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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Tin Shed on August 02, 2010, 22:22:24

Title: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Tin Shed on August 02, 2010, 22:22:24
My Serpente di Scilia are now about a foot long and about the diameter of a 2 pence piece. I haven't grown them before so don't know when they are ready to harvest - what size should they be?
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Jeannine on August 03, 2010, 00:00:33
When you like, but if left they will get longer and fatterXX Jeannine
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Tin Shed on August 03, 2010, 19:14:18
Thanks, Jeannine - I presume they lose a bit of their flavour when they get bigger, just as courgettes do.
The plants are covered.....and I am already trying to deal with a green, yellow and lebanese courgette glut!
I don't think a day goes by when we din't eat courgettes ;D
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Squash64 on August 03, 2010, 19:16:20
We had a 'longest snake' competition a few years ago - in my opinion, the only thing they are good for!
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Digeroo on August 03, 2010, 19:17:56
I am not sure that this variety is a top of the pops on the flavour front at any size.  More a bit of fun to grow.  For flavour try Tromba D'Albenga.  Smaller slightly obese snakes but very tasty.
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Tin Shed on August 03, 2010, 19:30:40
I'll give a go and see what they taste like - may be useful to add as bulk to various dishes.
Will try Tromba D'Albenga next year - I like something to look forward to :D
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Jeannine on August 03, 2010, 20:01:26
I agree they are more of a novelty but they make super painting projects for kids

Best advice I can give you is "taste it and see"

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Tin Shed on August 03, 2010, 23:06:31
Have googled it and found a suggestion to pick the tips and cook them in olive oil and serve as a veg or with pasta.
Do you think they will be more tasty that way ;D
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Jeannine on August 03, 2010, 23:10:57
Tips?
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Tin Shed on August 03, 2010, 23:13:56
I presume they mean the growing tips of the vines. They are nice and soft so perhaps they would saute very nicely with some garlic and olive oil ;D
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Jeannine on August 04, 2010, 01:13:49
Don't know, but you can eat any part of a squash. seeds, fruit, tendrils and blossoms.

 I like to take the  unpollinated flowers with the unfertilised baby squash showing, cut the whole thing with about 1 inch of stem below the embryo fruit  and deep fry the whole thing in Tempura batter.

Found you a picture  of your squash on my pooter while looking for something else
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Squash64 on August 04, 2010, 11:29:50
Quote from: Tin Shed on August 03, 2010, 23:06:31
Have googled it and found a suggestion to pick the tips and cook them in olive oil and serve as a veg or with pasta.
Do you think they will be more tasty that way ;D

This is what they do  in Sicily.  Cut the last 6inches or so from the ends of the shoots, including the tendrils and use them in a sort of soup thing.  My sister in law goes mad for these but never wants the actual 'snakes'!
Title: Re: Serpente di Sicilia squash
Post by: Tin Shed on August 04, 2010, 19:11:36
Love the idea of the flowers in Tempera batter - perhaps I will try all three ways of cooking them and do a taste test........watch this space ;)