Achocha
 

Have you ever tried to grow [URL="http://www.potager.dk/index.php?id=46&la=en"]Achocha, Korilla, Lady's Slipper, [I]Cyclanthera pedata[/I][/URL]? (this interesting cucumber relative has [U]so[/U] many names).

I wonder how one can use the hundreds of pods it deliveres. Any suggestions?

How is the flavor of the this cucumber?

Well - it is not easy to describe, but it is something between the Ameracan Yard Long cucumber (in the botanical sence it's a melon) and the pods from Sugar Snap peas.

I plan on growing three types of cyclanthera this year.

Is anyone else growing cyclanthera this year?

I understand they can take some partial shade so I am trying some under/on a tree, anyone tried that?



thanks,

Dean

Brian,
I use them the way I use pod peas, either mixed up with tomatoes , peppers or even squash, or prepared on their own together with some onions, garlic, parsley or coriander or even quilquina or papalo, same salt and pepper. Another way is to make some sort of a curry sauce with them, also adding some spices and, of course, curry.
I will grow four varieties this year, the three you got, Dean , and a fourth one which produces bigger pods, up to 18 cms., but it seems to be daylight-sensitive. I do think a bit of shad e won't harm them, especially not the exploding one,
Frank

I haven't grow it personally but I read it somewhere, the pod can be use in many way:in stir fry, in pizza, in salad (raw) and for pickle. It said to taste like paprika.

How long from planting the seed till you get fruit?

thanks,

Dean

I checked my plants this morning and I have some little fruit. They are just a little smaller then my thumb.

Have large do they get before needing to be harvested?

How long till they can be harvested for seed? I am wondering because my growing season is close to coming to the end I am afriad in the next few weeks.

thanks,
Dean

I am swamped with pods. It is amazing that 2 plants could fill a 9 foot wide arch.

They definitely have a cucumber and some other taste, I can not quite pick it out. I added some to a hamburger pasta like I would green peppers and they lost there flavor in the dish.

Any ideas with recipes for using them?

thanks,
Dean

Plants do become big , depending on the variety. I use them everywhere, but either raw, or cooked for a very short time (spaghetti sauce, pizza,oven dishes,...), less than five minutes. It's also best to use the smaller pods, certainly at the end of the season; larger pods can contain seeds at a very early stage in this time of year,
Frank

These ended up being my 3 year old daughters favorite vegetable from the garden. I would deseed them and she would eat them raw.

They have been added to my growing list again this season.

Dean

I'll have to try these! I have a shadier side of the garden where tomatoes don't do as well, and I'm phasing out the 6-ft. purple sprouting broccoli plants.

Where are seeds available?