| I tried to grow them last summer, but had no success. They started to bloom a bit later in September, but didn't set anything and were frosted out in mid-October. However, this was due to the fact that we had a record cold summer here with about 8 or 9 nights in July with lows around 38-40 degrees, and a similar number of days with highs in the mid to upper 60s. In a more normal year, I suspect they would do better. I too would be curious to know what the flavor is like. I imagine that it would be similar to zucchini, sort of neutral, but I could be wrong. I look forward to trying again this year, and am hoping for a more normal weather year after a cool (2008) and a downright cold summer (2009). One thing I did grow this year with great success despite the cold was bitter melons. They thrived and produced and produced. To bitter for me to eat, but they are very ornamental and fun to grow, so I suspect they'll be back. Only after the season was over did I learn that I was suppossed to parboil them in a change of water first to get rid of much of the bitterness before using them. Live and learn. Finally, my loofas actually did well despite the cold as well, and I harvested a number of them and cooked them like okra, which was pretty good. I let a couple of the first ones go, and I actually got some decent sponges out of them. They weren't completely matured when the frost came, but were turning brownish, so I just peeled them then boiled and bleached the sponges. |
