Getting the most from your gourds (This one is for Bill O'Reilly)

[shain from kane]

Q: I planted luffa sponge seeds and now have several. How do I end up with a usable sponge?

-- D. F. of Waterloo

A: The luffa is another type of gourd plant. Most gardeners do not know that when luffas are very young fruits that they can be harvested for eating and are used commonly in Asian cooking. This is before any tough fibers are produced in the fruit. It is these tough fibers which form the sponge. For this reason they should be left on the plant for a long time. Usually they are left on the vine until a killing frost occurs.

Harvest the gourds and soak them in a tub of water until the outer skin softens. There are three techniques to preparing these gourds:

1. Then boil the gourd in water for about 15 minutes, allow to cool, and then peel the outer layers of "skin" away to reveal the inner fibrous mass. (If you cannot find a pot big enough for the whole gourd, then cut it into halves or quarters).

2. Freeze the gourds for two hours, and then thaw and peel.

3. Cut the gourds in half and then microwave them for five to 10 minutes on high power.

You then must remove the seeds from within the fibers by shaking or pulling them out with your fingers. Then wash the gourds with soapy water and rinse several times to remove the soap residue. Allow the sponge to dry to a dull beige color. If a white color is desired, soak it in a solution of household bleach and water. If you want to save seeds for next year's crop, use technique No. 2 above.

[Cabcere]

1. Can be used for cooking?

I wonder if anyone's ever tried to make luffa falafel... :evilgrin:

[Hugin]

2. Anybody can tell "D. F. of Waterloo" is a moniker...

Bill O. is getting sloppy... Real sloppy. :eyes: