But gourds are the common name for hard-shelled, non-edible cucurbit fruits suitable for decorative ornaments or utensils. Some of the squashes and pumpkins are ornamental, too, but they are soft-shelled so they won’t lat as long. Miniature pumpkins are edible and can be tasty. The larger, hard skin gourds used for ladles and birdhouses are in the Lagenaria family and originated in Africa. Ornamental gourds such as colocynths are all toxic and should not be consumed. There is also one other genus, Luffa, the sponge gourd. Eat the pumpkins within two or three weeks of purchasing the pumpkins for best results. Ornamental gourds are dried and hardened to use for decoration. “Can you eat decorative gourds” is a popular question this time of year, and the answer is yes, you can eat gourds — but only certain ones. Ornamental Gourd Harvesting. With Halloween here, at the height of the season for all the pumpkins, squash and other cucurbits that brighten up our autumn dishes, it is important to remember that not all "squash" are edible. and ornamental (Cucurbita spp.). Edible squash is picked when immature, but decorative gourds must be allowed to mature and dry on the vine. Common names can differ by location. Ornamental gourds and hybrid garden squash should not be eaten Some cucurbits are toxic and contain Today, many people use gourds to make various seasonal crafts. Some inedible gourds can cause food poisoning, which can sometimes be serious. American gourds are thought to have come from the Asian subspecies, and it is likely that this was among the first cultivated species in America. Gourds aren’t as popular a food option as squashes (and no, gourds and squashes are not the same thing) because they require extra effort to prepare. For thousands of years, people have turned ornamental gourds into tools and utensils. No autumn display is complete without a few colorful ornamental gourds. Most squash is cultivated for consumption, while most gourds are grown for purely decorative purposes. Cook them in the oven, or cut them up and sauté for a tasty winter side dish. The edible type of gourd is a garden vegetable. Ornamental gourds that lose their stem stubs are much more likely to rot, starting at the stem end, compared to stemmed gourds. Some of the decorative gourds … Broadly speaking, there are two main groups of gourds – hard-shell (Lagenaria spp.) These larger, utilitarian gourds are a mottled green while growing and dry to a dull tan color. The next step is to separate the fully ripe, truly hard gourds from not-quite-ripe specimens. The only problem with the pumpkins is that they will grow bitter as they age. Check the label or get advice from the staff at the point of sale. The varieties included below are members of the following species: C. argyrosperma; C. ficifolia; C. maxima Soft-skinned gourds from the genus Cucurbita are typically orange, gold, and green and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.They're often used in fall cornucopias, as well as carved into luminaries, flower pots, dishes, and more. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting and unusual gourds that will be ready to harvest from your fall garden: Ornamental gourd harvesting should never involve twisting. The Curcubita genus is the one you’re probably more familiar with, which includes edible squash and pumpkins as well as the ornamental varieties. What Are Ornamental Gourds? Gourds are divided into two groups. So really, when people define something as a … Many varieties of decorative squash are edible and yummy. Pumpkins, gourds, and squash all come from the Cucurbitacae gourd family and are related to watermelon, zucchini, and cucumbers. 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