Fig Leaf Gourd

Description

Cucurbita ficifolia

A vigorous growing exotic gourd with a growth habit similar to a long-vined winter squash.  The long vines frequently grow 10 metres or longer, and produce large (about 20cm long) ovoid gourds with a mottled white and green skin. The plants are very productive and will produce several gourds per plant. And, yes, the leaves do look like enlarged versions of fig tree leaves.

Fruit can be eaten at any stage, from the young, soft-skinned fruit to the fully mature gourd.  Mature fruit are renown for their long storage life – we’ve kept one for more than two years.

Also known as Malabar gourd, fig leaf gourds are found in a surprising number of Britain’s ethnic communities. The Chinese know them as shark fin melon, while the Bangladeshis call them Chinese kadu and eat the young fruit in curries. The Spanish make a preserve – called dulce de caballo de angel (angel hair) from the flesh of the mature fruit.

Approximate number of seed per pack: 10