We have never tried this type before and I was wondering what is the
optimum size to harvest it? I have just taken the first one off the
plant, it's about the size of a small apple, er hum, a large lemon?
The long type start to change their flavour when they get beyond six
inches, same with the ball type?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Paul.
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Paul reply-to is valid

In article ,
Paul writes:
|
| We have never tried this type before and I was wondering what is the
| optimum size to harvest it? I have just taken the first one off the
| plant, it's about the size of a small apple, er hum, a large lemon?
| The long type start to change their flavour when they get beyond six
| inches, same with the ball type?

If that is Little Gem, then it does just that. But, unlike the normal
'vegetable marrow', it has a good flavour at all stages. You can even
ripen it completely, and eat it as a winter squash right up into the
new year. It starts off tasting like a courgette, and ends up tasting
like vegetable spaghetti squash - i.e. like a drier marrow with enough
hubbard squash flavour to make it worth eating.

And it isn't the size, it is the texture. Check the skin. They can
start to ripen at any size from small lemons up to medium apples, and
don't increase in size once they do (again, unlike marrows).

I eat them both young and old.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.