PlantFiles: Italian Edible Gourd, Italian Squash, Tasmania Bean, Zucchetta Cucuzzi, Serpent of Sicily
Lagenaria siceraria 'Cucuzzi'

This one, Climbing Italian Summer Squash, is a must-have-it for those who adore lime green flowers. They can grow to 8 feet and form a lush leafy arbor.

The squash has a delicate taste, mild with a hint of artichoke. Best harvested when the gords are 10 to 12 inches in length.

Lagenaria siceraria is naturalized in Texas and other States.

Lagenaria vulgaris, a creeper, can become a little invasive, but only if you let it out of control. The plant is a relative of the pumpkins and zucchinis, can be eaten cooked.

I agree that this is very easy to grow. My variety is called Cucuzzi caravazi, bought in 2002. It has grown 50' and shows no sign of slowing down. Leaves are 11" wide and 9" long, softly hairy/velvety, heart shaped, and have 5 gentle, pointed lobes. So far, the oldest gourds hang down through a yew hedge and are 5' plus. The youngest, about 12, are dangling from the top of our magnolia where they cannot be reached to eat. These behemoths are the color of luna moth wings - pale, sea green.

The flowers are about 3 1/2" on foot long stalks, white, fragrant, scented like a melon, have 4 creped, fringed petals, bloom at night and are a sight to see floating above the yew hedge at twilight. Well, the whole thing is a sight. Awesome.

These are extremely easy to grow, definately a gourd, but an old-time italian favorite for eating. Harvest when young for eating (6" - 8") and cook like summer squash. Excellent sauteed in butter! Larger cucuzzi are not good for eating, but can be dried and crafted like any other gourd and the larger ones are where you harvest seeds. Gourds cross polinate easily, so grow gourds, squash and cucumbers as far apart as possible for seeds that will be true.