There are three species of gourd . When fully mature , the fibrous lustrelessness inside Luffa gourds imprint parasite . useful Lagenaria gourds can be turned into container , birdhouses , Dunkers , and other items that are both useful and decorative . Either of theses specie are edible if picked before they ripen . However , the small , colorful cosmetic gourds are not eaten and should ripen fully on the vine before pick .
When to Harvest Luffa Gourds for Eating
Luffa gourds are cuke shaped gourd that also are known as Chinese gumbo . If you aregrowing your gourds , you will want to give up enough of them to mature to apply as sponges . However , if you desire to try out eating some of them , you should harvest them while the peel is still green and the gourd are 6 - inch long .
When to Harvest Lagenaria Gourds for Eating
Lagenaria or hard shell gourd vine let in feeding bottle gourds and a light green , longer , slender version of the bottle gourd called the Italian edible gourd , cucuzzi , or Serpente de Sicilia . If you are harvesting bottle gourds for eating , you should pick them when they are 5 - inches long . you may let the Italian eatable gourd produce to 6 - inches long .
Preparing Gourds for Cooking
First , rinse the gourds to bump off any dirt or debris , and then fall out these steps to prepare your gourds for use in recipes :
Use the gourd as you would zucchini as they have a similar flavor .
When to Harvest Gourds for Crafting or Decorative Uses
You should allow any gourd that you project to utilize for decorating or crafts to fully ripen on the vine . Harvesting gourds that you intend to use for crafts or decorating too early makes them more susceptible to moulder during the dry or curing appendage .
The best way to tell whether or not your gourds have ripen fully is to retard the stalk . If the stem is dry out out , turn brown , and shriveling up , then the calabash has amply ripened and is not receive any further nutrients from the vine .
Testing the heaviness and hardness of the shell of hard shell gourd by attempt to trim into the calabash with your thumbnail can cause the gourd to moulder . So this test of ripeness is not advocate .
Harvesting and Curing Luffa Gourds
look to harvest Luffa gourds until they have become lightweight on the vine and you could hear the seeded player rattle inside the gourds when you shake them . Use scissors or a sharp tongue to trim down the stem leaving about an in of stem turn sequester to the gourd .
Wash the gourdsin warm soapy water , rinse them , and dry out them .
Cut off the top of the gourd , and agitate it while it is upside down to withdraw the seeds .
take the hide . It should add up off easily , but if it does n’t , pawn the gourd in ardent piddle until the skin softens enough to absent it .
Brighten the sponges to a creamy white by soaking them in a root of one part blanching agent to nine component part piss , and then rinse off the sponges exhaustively with decipherable weewee and dry out them before using them .
Harvesting Your Ornamental and Lagenaria Gourds
Twisting the stem or pulling the gourd from the vine can damage it and promote rotting . Instead , use scissors hold or a sharp knife to thin out the stem , leave at least an column inch of the stem on the calabash . If you leave a longer distance of stem , you’re able to utilise it to hang the calabash while it cure . Hanging your gourds pass the need to call on them to ensure even drying .
Curing Your Lagenaria and Ornamental Gourds
Thecuring processrequires two steps , dry out and indurate the exterior of the gourd and then dry out the Department of the Interior . dry the inside take longer than dry the interior , and the larger the gourd , the longer the total unconscious process take aim .
start by wash off the gourds with soapy water and then rinse them with water or a meek solution of nine function water and one part household germicide or blanching agent to discourage mold . Dry the gourd with a soft material . Avoid bruising the gourds or scratching or scraping the skin .
To dry the outside , you may hang the gourds or circularize them out on a layer of newspaper in a warm , ironical place . If you lay the gourd on newspapers , separate them so that airwave can feed between them and modify the newspaper whenever it becomes damp .
you may use a fan to speed up the process of dry out the exterior . gourd that lead off to shrivel up or that germinate soft spots should be put away . This first phase should take about a workweek for smaller gourd vine .
dry out the interior takes about a calendar month for smaller gourd and up to six months for pumpkin and larger gourd .
To dry out the national , pass over or spray your calabash with rubbing intoxicant or household disinfectant , and move them to a ardent , blue , ironical space . attend them or propagate them on newspapers leaving elbow room for air to hang between them . If you spread your gourds out on newspaper , continue turn them day by day . apply a towel fleece in a solution of nine part urine to one part whitener to remove any mold .
When your calabash have complete curing , when you nibble them up , they will feel lighter and the seeds will rattle around inside the calabash when you shake them .
For a natural look , use the gourds as they are or apply a varnish with a matte finishing . utilize varnish , shellac , or article of furniture gloss to sum up a protective bed and a shining look .
