Bottle Gourds
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
Calgary, Alberta
February 7, 2012 11:13pm CST
I think in India,China and most Asian countries this vegetable is used for stir fry and curries,Its related to melons and squash. In my country is also used for cooking. I just found out that in some cultures, bottle gourds is not used for edible purposes, they dry it and make bottles, Piggie banks and bird houses.
I remember my self hating this vegetable as a child cos of its watery texture. Then I learned how to cook it now and I learned loving to eat this now.
Basically if you stir fried this without adding water, its good. For some unknown reason i'm kinda interesting trying to make a bottle out of it. I think dried bottle gourds are becoming a hobby to some people, It has some varieties that have shapes similar to bottles and Vases. I purchased 1 that looks like this:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c64eC97KLdA/Sqtecz_AGnI/AAAAAAAACJw/LADUuRST0WA/s400/Dudhi%20or%20Bottle%20Gourd%20or%20Lauki%20-%20Dudhi%20or%20Bottle%20Gourd%20-%20transformation%20to%20Dudhi%20Halwa,%20Yummy%203.jpg
I tried to dry it but instead of getting hard, it rotted. 
How do you cook your bottle gourds? Is bottle gourd popular in your country as food or as a material for making crafts?
How do you cook your bottle gourds? Is bottle gourd popular in your country as food or as a material for making crafts?1 person likes this
4 responses
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
26 Feb 12
its my 3rd attempt to dry an up and make it a bottle and Its still rotting. I am so frustrated. ikf you get to watch those historical Korean Dramas, their drinking bottle is dried upo.
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
8 Feb 12
I have heard of this, but I do not think I have ever tried it that I know of. I think you have to grow the gourd to full maturity before you try to dry it. It has to be ripe.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
9 Feb 12
I wonder if you could eat the flowers from the gourd plants.They are related to squash and pumpkins.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
9 Feb 12
By far the parts of the family with edible flowers are, Zucchini, cucumber,squash and pumpkin. Gourd flowers are edible but the squash,Pumpkin and zucchini are the most suggested.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
9 Feb 12
that could be the reason, its not ripe when its sold on the store. that could be the reason why the ones I dried rotted.
1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39140)
• Philippines
8 Feb 12
You must learn to choose the ripe one for drying purposes Capt.
Well, this one of the veggies that I don't eat much.
I don't like it's watery texture and - I don't know, i just don't appreciate this one. :p
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
8 Feb 12
if someone from your household decided to cook this, beg that person to dont add water, if you didnt add water during stir frying, its going to have similar texture to chayote or unripe papaya.
I really want to learn how to dry it, but i failed in 3 attempts. I wonder where can I buy a ripe one. when it gets dried, it gets hard like ceramic. In china they can make water jugs out of it.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
8 Feb 12
Hiya Captain
This is quite a common vegetable here in India. Medically prescribed for all who suffer with upset stomach and digestive issues. It tastes yummy when cooked - normally the medics say to boil it and have it with salt. But I can opt for any dish of this.
Though I dont see much of nutritional value of this vegetable as it is almost 95% water, they say it is easy to digest and hence recommend... who bothers, when you love the taste and the veggie
I will ask mom to know more on what is the right way to dry this (should be in the hot sun I presume). The dried versions here are used as scrubbers for skin and many women and men use them before and during bath... even we had one here which was forgotten to be carried back when my in-laws were around.
This is quite a common vegetable here in India. Medically prescribed for all who suffer with upset stomach and digestive issues. It tastes yummy when cooked - normally the medics say to boil it and have it with salt. But I can opt for any dish of this.
Though I dont see much of nutritional value of this vegetable as it is almost 95% water, they say it is easy to digest and hence recommend... who bothers, when you love the taste and the veggie
I will ask mom to know more on what is the right way to dry this (should be in the hot sun I presume). The dried versions here are used as scrubbers for skin and many women and men use them before and during bath... even we had one here which was forgotten to be carried back when my in-laws were around.1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
8 Feb 12
I prefer sauteeing them with oyster sauce/soy sauce and garlic without water, it becomes less watery if you dont add water. That is how I want to eat them, But I will never want them in soups. About nutrition, If its juiced raw, its good for diabetics, It has Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Niacin,Omega 6 and lots of water LOL.
I do have the bottle gourd luffa, Its indeed good for sponge baths, really removes the dirt. I want to dry it though to make bottles or jars.
You can actually make a mug out of them.
