Produce Briefs...
Italian Black Summer Truffles
Black summer truffles are more subtle than the winter variety. Shave truffle over cooked potatoes, toss with herbs and a shallot vinaigrette. Thinly shave truffle over scrambled eggs.
Mangosteen
The Purple mangosteen, botanical name Garcinia magostana, simply referred to as mangosteen, is an ultra-tropical slow growing evergreen tree that is cultivated for its edible fruit.
Grower
Ornamental gourds are available in the fall.
Gourds are placed in the distinct variety, Cucurbita pepo variety ovifera meaning "egg bearing". "Pepo" is a Latin word for the fruit of an edible melon and is generally used for any cucurbit. This name was originally given to them as a species by Linnaeus.
While usually small, ornamental gourds can range in size from the size of a chicken egg to gourds that are a foot in length and five inches in circumference. They are available in various colors and shapes including: bell, finger, orange, apple, ladle, spoon or an egg. One of the most unusual ornamental gourds is the "finger gourd" also called, "crown of the thorns", "gourd of the Ten Commandments" and "holy gourd". The upper surface of this gourd bears five pairs of protuberances, or prongs, and may be white or cream-colored at maturity. Other colors include green-and-white striped, orange, and bicolor, which is green and green-striped with bands or areas of yellow. Star gourds are consistent in having ten prominent ridges around their edge and a star shape. The gourd surface may be warted, horned or smooth. Ornamental gourds are not edible as they have very little flesh and are grown mainly for show. The flesh they do contain is rather tasteless and may even be bitter.
Ornamental gourds are generally used for fall decorative purposes such as a centerpiece or mantel display.
Ornamental gourds are truly domesticated plants as they are perpetuated by man. However, a similar gourd grows wild in parts of Texas that is recognized as a distinct species, Cucurbita texana, by botanists. This ornamental gourd differs very little in appearance but it grows on its own without the aid of man. Some claim that this wild Texas gourd is just an escaped ornamental gourd that reverted to a wild existence. Botanical evidence theorizes that cultivated squashes and pumpkins belonging to Cucurbita pepo were domesticated first in Mexico. The Texas gourd may have at one time been distributed from Mexico where it is now extinct and survives today only in Texas.
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Ornamental Gourds using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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Seasons/Availability
Ornamental gourds are available in the fall.
Current Facts
Gourds are placed in the distinct variety, Cucurbita pepo variety ovifera meaning "egg bearing". "Pepo" is a Latin word for the fruit of an edible melon and is generally used for any cucurbit. This name was originally given to them as a species by Linnaeus.
Description/Taste
While usually small, ornamental gourds can range in size from the size of a chicken egg to gourds that are a foot in length and five inches in circumference. They are available in various colors and shapes including: bell, finger, orange, apple, ladle, spoon or an egg. One of the most unusual ornamental gourds is the "finger gourd" also called, "crown of the thorns", "gourd of the Ten Commandments" and "holy gourd". The upper surface of this gourd bears five pairs of protuberances, or prongs, and may be white or cream-colored at maturity. Other colors include green-and-white striped, orange, and bicolor, which is green and green-striped with bands or areas of yellow. Star gourds are consistent in having ten prominent ridges around their edge and a star shape. The gourd surface may be warted, horned or smooth. Ornamental gourds are not edible as they have very little flesh and are grown mainly for show. The flesh they do contain is rather tasteless and may even be bitter.
Applications
Ornamental gourds are generally used for fall decorative purposes such as a centerpiece or mantel display.
Geography/History
Ornamental gourds are truly domesticated plants as they are perpetuated by man. However, a similar gourd grows wild in parts of Texas that is recognized as a distinct species, Cucurbita texana, by botanists. This ornamental gourd differs very little in appearance but it grows on its own without the aid of man. Some claim that this wild Texas gourd is just an escaped ornamental gourd that reverted to a wild existence. Botanical evidence theorizes that cultivated squashes and pumpkins belonging to Cucurbita pepo were domesticated first in Mexico. The Texas gourd may have at one time been distributed from Mexico where it is now extinct and survives today only in Texas.
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Ornamental Gourds using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Tesco Bradford Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 78 days ago Spotter's comments : Bottle gourd, sold as dudhi Morrisons Bradford Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 78 days ago Spotter's comments : Bottle gourd, sold as long and round dudhi |
