This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
I've got a luverly bunch of ? Definitely not coconuts!
in Talkback
Various shapes/ sizes/ colours! Is there any hope for culinary use, please advise.
0
Posts
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??
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
)
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!
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...
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....
Butternut Squash combined with carrots and coreander made the most delicious home made winter soup... Better than Pumpkins any hoo
Thanks, BLT: I'll note that combination for next growing season!