VEGETABLES 47 



Reunion, French West Indies. The large fruit is green or 

 cream-coloured, according to the variety, and covered with 

 soft prickles. It is much cultivated in South America and 

 the West Indies. 



The fruit is a most wholesome vegetable cooked like 

 Squash or Pumpkin ; it can also be made into tarts witli 

 limes. It is sometimes added to soup ; or soup made of 

 it ; or is eaten boiled, and mashed with oil and pe})per, 

 the skin being first removed. Lunau recommends it dressed 

 with lime-juice and spices. 



Bottle Gourd 



{Lagenaria vulgaris) 



It is also called Club Gourd, or White Pumpkin ; 

 Charrah (Arabic) ; Kaddu, etc. (Hindustani) ; Hu-lu 

 (China) ; Soriai-kai, etc. (Tamil) ; Kunda-nuga, etc. 

 (Telegu) ; Bella-schora (Malay) ; Bu-sin-swai (Burmah) ; 

 and Calebasse-terre (French Guiana). It is a climbing 

 plant, wild in India, the Moluccas, Abyssinia, and exten- 

 sively cultivated in all hot countries. 



In India it is sown in patches G feet apart, in rather 

 sandy soil, during the months of April and June. In 

 appearance it is like two oval gourds united end to end. It 

 has white flowers. 



Boiled when young, it is used like vegetable marrow ; or 

 sliced for curry ; or mixed with rice. If hung up in a free 

 current of air, it keeps well three or four months. The 

 young shoots and leaves are also eaten. 



