Xilicayota Squash
[Chilacayote (Mexico); Ugboguru, Ugbogiri, Anyu (Igbo, Nigeria);
Fluted Pumpkin (Nigeria only); Cucurbita ficifolia (sometimes
called C. pepo)]
This squash originated either in Mexico or Peru, but is now also grown
in Southern California, Southeast Asia and all through the warmer parts
of Central and South America, as well as West Africa. It is popular
in Mexico, particularly Oxaca, where it is eaten as a squash when
immature, and used to make squash beverages (sometimes alcoholic) when
mature. It has also been found to have medicinal uses, particularly in
treating diabetes.
The photo specimen was 11 inches long, 8 inches in diameter and
weighed 16 pounds. Note that color pattern can vary. This is a very
durable squash - the photo specimen sat on my kitchen floor for about
6 months and still looked fine, though it lost some weight. Then it
fairly quickly lost its bright color and dried out to a thin shell.
I deliberately let it dry out so I could get mature seeds, which look
like black pumpkin seeds.
More on Squash.
Confusion:
In Nigeria, this squash is called
"Fluted Pumpkin", because of its hollow flute-like stems. What is called
"Fluted Pumpkin" everywhere else is
Telfairia occidentalis, which
is just "Pumpkin" in Nigeria. The influence of the Internet is starting
to change this, causing even more confusion. In recipes, if it calls for
"slices of Fluted Pumpkin", it means immature Xilicayota, because the
other one is not edible (only the seeds and leaves).
Buying:
Here in Southern California I have seen this
squash for sale only once. Seeds are available so you would have to
grow it yourself or know someone who grows it.
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