I had planted some ornamental gourd seeds in the back of our property last year, but then neglected them because I was busy fighting the SVB on my edible squash. I figured they must have succumbed; they didn't look like they did much the few times I went to look.

Well, lo and behold, this spring as I was weeding there I found a large egg-shaped thing that was hollow. I figured it must have been a gourd produced last year. It apparently did create viable seed, as I now have a giant plant that is putting out fruit like crazy. They are yellow and oblong, kinda big. (Almost as big as a spaghetti squash, but not quite.)

My question is this -- can I eat them when they are young? If so, how small should they be? If I don't eat them young, what else can I do with them? Do I let them dry on the vine?

Wish my pumpkins were this productive!!

Thanks --

:-) Mel