I noticed it from throughout the farmers market. How might I not? It was 3 ft of pure problem staring proper at me.
The handwritten signal study “snake gourd,” however my internet evaluation said “serpent squash.” Whereas each names have been becoming for this snakey magnificence, And that I might Want to name it by both, I think about what I truly had on my palms is an Italian cucuzza squash.
It was An prolonged twisty tunnel of internet rabbit holes that led me to this conclusion. Snake gourds have A strong shell like a winter squash, They typinamey’re purple inside. My squash had nboth Of these.
Footage of serpent squash look Similar to my squash, however I stored discovering “snake gourd” and “serpent squash” used interchangeably, and that led to evaluationing the distinction between a snake and a serpent, and a squash and a gourd.
As quickly as I emerged bleary-eyed from my internet haze days later, I used to be extra confused than ever. None of it issues now as a Outcome of I’ve decided my prolonged, pale inexperienced, gentle-skinned, snakelike squash is nboth and each. Welcome to my world.
Cucuzza squash May even be referpurple to as a Sicilian serpent gourd. As quickly as they’re youthful, they’re eaten like zucchini or One other summer time squash. As quickly as they’re mature, they’re dried and used as decor. I really feel. Who’s Aware of anyextra?
Because mine wasn’t exhausting-shelled, I peeled it and chopped it into chew-measurement gadgets. It was utterly white inside, seeds and all, and primarily tasteless. The texture was spongy, Very similar to eggplant, so it made full sense to me that it was an Italian squash; it’s best for Absorbing all that taste.
I put half of the chopped 3-footer in a pot of minestrone-esque soup and froze The remaining. The spongy little cubes Shall be good with some riced cauliflower in some curry-in-a-hurry when I’m in a … hurry. Both Shall be incognito produce, hiding in plain sight.
Challenge your self with a mysterious piece of produce The subsequent time you’re On the farmers market. Even Do You’d like to don’t Choose it, you’ll have A great story To inform. Try these recipes with snake gourd, serpent squash or cucuzza squash. They’re All of the identical, or they’re not. I don’t know anyextra.
Serpent soup
1 prolonged Italian squash (cucuzza), peeled and cubed
1/4 cup further virgin olive oil
1 huge onion, chopped
4 carrots, sliced
4 stalks celery, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup marinara
4 cups broth of selection
Current basil and parsley for garnish
Salt and pepper to type
Add oil to An monumental pot …….