Gourds Revived

On August 28, I wrote an entry with some gruesome pictures of what the hot, dry summer had done to our gourd patch.

http://windyacresnaturalfarm.blogspot.com/2012/08/gourd-graveyard.html

As you can see in those pictures, most of the vines appeared to be dead except for a few hardy specimens that were hanging on to life by a thread.  I collected all the gourds that were dry enough and have stored them in one of our out-buildings to cure.  

Since then the weather has cooled considerably and we've had some rain, not nearly enough to get us out of the drought, but some at least.  And, I have been amazed to see what a difference it has made.  

Here is a picture of our gourd patch now.

Upon peering under the vines, I even found some new "babies" growing.

They are covered by a soft "fuzz" when they are young like this and they are edible.  However, since they were not bred for your dinner table, they are not as tasty as gourds that have been developed for consumption.

Gourds are a routine part of the cuisine in many parts of the world.  Here is a website that sells seeds for some popular gourds gourds for eating.

http://www.seedsofindia.com/category/Squash--Edible-Gourds-21