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I've got a luverly bunch of ? Definitely not coconuts!

image

 Various shapes/ sizes/ colours! Is there any hope for culinary use, please advise.

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    They look like ornamental gourds, which can be quite bitter.

  • Thanks, Pansyface & Fidgetbones: I did try one baked last month - probably 'not quite ripe then' but, oh my - was it bitter! It hastily followed Route One to the compost bucket!! More insightful recipes/ uses welcomed: ? ferment for hooch....?? a la Marrow brandy??

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    David, make sure you chop them up before adding them to compost othewise you end up with a big slimy mess when you find them later ( like those oversized courgettes we've all grown image)

    Devon.
  • Thanks, Hostafan: I generally chop & slice/ dice depending on size of 'fruit' being discarded. I find pineapples particularly 'resilient' - must be the hefty 'coat' they carry!

  • BLTBLT Posts: 525

    Last week I saw very colourful squashes of all shapes and sizes in the vegetable sectiom of our local shop.. To me they looked like gourds, I was not brave enough to buy any..  I did buy a Butternut Squash though that I know is edible...image

  • Sure thing, BLT: Butternut squash is a great favourite with all my son's family. Maybe I'll stick to 'mainstream' squashes in future!

  • I'm right with you, Philippa S2: I'll give them another week or so on the clothes airer to thoroughly ripen. Then I'll get the clear matt/ satin varnish out. *I've offered to (temporarily) loan the gourds, plus several large pine cones & fresh hazel nuts to friends with a sunny shop window which they'll be dressing out 'naturalistically' for Hallowe'en. Hopefully some seasonal pics to follow in due course....

  • BLTBLT Posts: 525

    Butternut Squash combined with carrots and coreander made the most delicious home made winter soup... Better than Pumpkins any hoo image

  • Thanks, BLT: I'll note that combination for next growing season!

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