Cucuzza

creolegumbo · July 10, 2012

first time for cucuzza. fun to grow. needs a lot of vertical space.

Deborah · July 10, 2012

What is it, like a loofah?

creolegumbo · July 10, 2012

italian squash

more info

Zeedman · July 10, 2012

Cuccuza, while often called a squash, is actually an edible gourd (Lagenaria siceraria). If you let it grow to maturity, you will get a huge club-shaped gourd 3-4 feet long.

And you aren't kidding about it needing a lot of vertical space... it easily overran my 6 & 1/2 foot trellis, even in my short summer. It does even better in areas with a long growing season, where it can become "Gourd-zilla".

Deborah · July 10, 2012

Thanks to both ! Love learning new things.

creolegumbo · July 10, 2012

Taste great with some garden fresh red sauce!ImageUploadedByTapatalk1341932241.419413.jpg

royceag · July 14, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeedman

Cuccuza, while often called a squash, is actually an edible gourd (Lagenaria siceraria). If you let it grow to maturity, you will get a huge club-shaped gourd 3-4 feet long.

And you aren't kidding about it needing a lot of vertical space... it easily overran my 6 & 1/2 foot trellis, even in my short summer. It does even better in areas with a long growing season, where it can become "Gourd-zilla".

You are so right about "Gourdzilla"! I made the mistake of plant 3 of these on 2 poles of a trellis this year. What a mess!!! Giant fuzzy leaves, giant fuzzy gourds and night-blooming white flowers everywhere. And, I just couldn't get into eating something with that much fuzz on it, plus I found it kind of bitter- even very small & young. It just got too unruly and behemoth in my veggie beds & had to go! But wait, it's back! I thought I pulled & hacked it all out, guess I missed some because it's emerged once again- GOURDZILLA!

janezee · July 14, 2012

It should be sold with a warning label.

"May resemble a large-leafed kudzu"

"Growing 'Gourdzilla' may be hazardous to your sanity"

Any others you'd like to add?

j

royceag · July 14, 2012

I guess I'm just not a fan- FEH!

Zeedman · July 14, 2012

Quote:

Any others you'd like to add?

"Night blooming serious"

creolegumbo · July 15, 2012

If it was bitter u probably let grow too long. Did you peel it? I thought they had a great flavor. Looking forward to growing more next year.

royceag · July 16, 2012

Zeedman, Yeah, night blooming- by morning it's kinda ugly.

Creolegumbo, I didn't peel it, that would have helped with the fuzz factor. It was very thin (@quarter-size diameter) and somewhat long (@8") when picked. I kept waiting for it to put on some girth like a zuke but it kept getting longer. I did try a few little babies too- just didn't like the taste at all.

creolegumbo · July 16, 2012

Well this is first year I've grown em so I'm not an expert at all but they were pretty big and tasted great. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1342451834.307629.jpg

janezee · July 16, 2012

hehe I cereusly got it!

j

rockhound · July 18, 2012

When the gourd grows to maturity and is dried and cleaned of it's seeds, it's called the "Widow's Friend" gourd....gee, I wonder why?

July 14, 2012	#9
royceag Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC 7b Posts: 42	I guess I'm just not a fan- FEH! __________________ All the best, Royce

July 16, 2012	#12
royceag Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC 7b Posts: 42	Zeedman, Yeah, night blooming- by morning it's kinda ugly. Creolegumbo, I didn't peel it, that would have helped with the fuzz factor. It was very thin (@quarter-size diameter) and somewhat long (@8") when picked. I kept waiting for it to put on some girth like a zuke but it kept getting longer. I did try a few little babies too- just didn't like the taste at all. __________________ All the best, Royce

July 10, 2012	#2
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	What is it, like a loofah?

July 10, 2012	#3
creolegumbo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 13	italian squash more info

July 10, 2012	#4
Zeedman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 313	Cuccuza, while often called a squash, is actually an edible gourd (Lagenaria siceraria). If you let it grow to maturity, you will get a huge club-shaped gourd 3-4 feet long. And you aren't kidding about it needing a lot of vertical space... it easily overran my 6 & 1/2 foot trellis, even in my short summer. It does even better in areas with a long growing season, where it can become "Gourd-zilla".

July 14, 2012	#8
janezee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5 Posts: 931	It should be sold with a warning label. "May resemble a large-leafed kudzu" "Growing 'Gourdzilla' may be hazardous to your sanity" Any others you'd like to add? j

July 15, 2012	#11
creolegumbo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 13	If it was bitter u probably let grow too long. Did you peel it? I thought they had a great flavor. Looking forward to growing more next year.

July 18, 2012	#15
rockhound Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 285	When the gourd grows to maturity and is dried and cleaned of it's seeds, it's called the "Widow's Friend" gourd....gee, I wonder why?