Snake Gourd
For Chefs & Produce Managers Food Service: 323-584-4940 Produce Managers: 800-468-7111
Seasonality: Sep - Nov
Origin: USA
Aptly named, this fruit (used as a vegetable) grows to an incredible 6 feet long and four inches wide with a waxy green striped and speckled skin. While it is sold in small sections at retail, in the field it looks very much like dangling green serpents.
It is one of the most popular culinary vegetables in southern India, which is where the fruit originated, however it is now grown worldwide. In the last ten years, with the increase in the East Indian population, Snake Gourds are showing up more and more in American specialty stores and kitchen gardens.
Chose firm fruit with bright green striping. Avoid fruit that is mushy or has any tinge of orange coloring which is a sign of overripe. Refrigerate in a plastic bag for 5 days.
