Name that veggie

[russholio]

Does anyone know what type of veggie this is? It's growing on a vine in the back yard of a neighboring family and has climbed over the masonry wall here at work. I think the family on the other side of the wall is of Asian descent, so it might be some sort of Asian veggie. I know it's not a cucumber, as I first had anticipated. Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[gary_in_neenah]

The leaves resemble a cucumber. Next step, slice off a piece for a look and taste.

 

[russholio]

That's what I thought too, when it was just a vine with flowers and no product. Imagine my disappointment when these cuc wanna-be's appeared. I do plan on trying to eat it, if I can determine that I won't perish of some rare incurable disease by doing so.

 

[yamahauler]

maybe do a test run on someone else for the taste test first, lol

 

[98panther]

Maybe a Luffa, or some version of a asian cucumber. There appears to be a bunch of different kinds.

http://www.evergreenseeds.com/asveglis.html

 

[xcr440]

Zuchinni?

 

[russholio]

Definitely not a zucchini, or not one I've ever seen....I was leaning toward a Chinese bitter melon or maybe a luffa. I like Yamahauler's idea.....maybe I can get the chief to try it!

 

[russholio]

I guess I should have added that it's kinda soft and squishy, not hard and solid like a cuc.

 

[frnash]

Be careful what "foods" you taste from southeast Asia!
The good news is that it is NOT Durian (a southeast Asian fruit) a.k.a. the "king of fruits"!

"The 19th-century British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace famously described its flesh as "a rich custard highly [flavored] with almonds."

The only problem is that in order to taste it, you first have to get it past your nose.

"The edible flesh emits a distinctive [odor], strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and offensive. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust and has been described variously as almonds, rotten onions, turpentine and gym socks. The [odor] has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia."

I'd describe its not so "delicate aroma" as something between dirty ol' seriously sweaty gym socks and rotting onions. -FRN

 

[russholio]

Thanks for the warning, Nash....I'll keep that in mind if I decide to sample it!

This beast is 13.5" long, and here is a closeup of one of its leaves:

 

[Admin]

This might be a crazy idea, but why not just ask the neighbor what it is and how best to prepare it to eat?

-John

 

[russholio]

John, that's on the list of solutions.....problem is, they have this thing growing on a wooden framework gizmo on the other side of the wall, and a garden beyond that, so I can't just hop over. I've been hoping to catch them outside but haven't seen them in a while.

Besides, that kinda takes the fun out of the detective work. I'm on a mission now!

 

[Admin]

Understandable.

Have fun with this!

-John

 

[frnash]

Another cautionary note on "foods" from southeast Asia!
Asafoetida, the "food of the gods", a.k.a. "devil's dung". This clearly is NOT the veggie in question, however.

"This spice is used as a digestive aid, in food as a condiment and in pickles. Its [odor], when uncooked, is so strong that it must be stored in airtight containers; otherwise the aroma will contaminate other spices stored nearby. However, its [odor] and flavor become much milder and more pleasant upon heating in oil or ghee, acquiring a taste and aroma reminiscent of sautéed onion and garlic."

I guess tasting like "sautéed onion and garlic" is a whole lot lot better than smelling like "rotting onions"!

 

[rp7x]

house wrecker

becareful

 

[michaeladams]

is it an armenian cucumber?

 

[harvest1121]

I live next to some Asians. I have learned one thing do not ask what you are eating. Most of it is good but the smoked snake fish was just awful. I have had fried snake fish and that was very good. But I can tell you they still have a little dog so not too worried about what I am eating as long as I still see the dog running around.

 

[rawfish]

Its a summer squash in the family of okra.

 

[russholio]

is it an armenian cucumber?

I don't think that's it, doesn't seem to have the dark green stripes.

I'm leaning toward some type of luffa, though there appears to be many varieties so I'm not sure which one it may be.

 

[vw56german]

It is called Bitter Melon. Has a few varieties. It is as the name says bitter, but if cooked correctly is quiet good. It is added to many dishes, just like other veggies. I like it cooked up in scrambled eggs with a little onion.