UTILIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ORIENTAL VEGETABLES 37 
Dishcloth Gourd (Luff a acutanffula) . (Fig. 32) 
Chinese name: See-qua 
Japanese name: Heehima 
Shape: Long, enlarged at apex, narrow at stem end; slightly curved; ridged 
longitudinally. 
Siee: One to two feet long; iy 2 to 2% inches in diameter. 
Color: Green skin, white flesh. 
Figure 32. — Dishcloth gourds 
The dishcloth gourd, also known as vegetable gourd, sponge gourd, 
and rag gourd, somewhat resembles okra (Hibiscus esculentus), and 
is often called Chinese okra. The plant is a monoecious annual and 
is indigenous to India. The coarse rind of this peculiar gourd bears 
10 narrow ridges running lengthwise. Like many other orient- 
grown melon-bearing vegetables, the gourd must be picked immature 
for table use. It may be used to replace or supplement edible-podded 
peas in the chop suey recipe given under the caption, " Edible-Podded 
Peas," page 39. 
