Bottle gourd

Another name for it is the 'birdhouse gourd,' a variety grown for its unique shape, suitable for crafting into birdhouses after drying. Let’s take a look at what makes up this oddly named veggie.

The bottle gourd is grown on a vine, similar to a pumpkin, and can be harvested early in the year as a food, or much later as a utensil. Yes, once matured, the inside of this squash becomes tough and loses its flavor, so the only thing left to do is hollow out the vessel and use the mature, dried calabash fruits as a bottle, utensil, or pipe. 

These calabash gourds, with their light green smooth skin and known historically as white-flowered gourds, have been utilized not just for their culinary value but also for their cultural significance, serving as material for traditional objects like hats, instruments, and containers across various cultures.

History and trivia of lagenaria siceraria

A commonly known cultivated plant, bottle gourds are usually found in tropical and subtropical areas. Their origins are believed to be from Africa, around the Zimbabwe region, while other experts claim Asia should be listed as the country of origin. The bottle gourds which are found in these regions, growing wild, generally have a thinner wall and would not do well in shipment, but are still easily molded into utensils by the experienced tribes. Present-day bottle gourds owe their thick, waterproof wall to the experts who domesticated this versatile plant.

The bottle gourd was one of the first cultivated plants in the world, grown not for food but as a container. It was primarily used as utensils, such as cups, bowls, and basins, mostly in rural areas. It can be used for carrying water, or can be made for carrying items, such as fish, dirt, or other food. In some Caribbean countries it is worked, painted, and decorated as shoulder bags or other items by artisans, and sold to tourists. You are probably most familiar with it as a highly decorated bird nest, often hung from large poles.

In Jamaica there is also a reference to the natural lifestyle of Rastafarians using the gourd to make a rattle of sorts for musical festivities. As a cup, bowl, or even water-pipe, the bottle gourd is considered consistent with the 'Ital' or natural lifestyle of not using refined products such as table salt, or using modern cooking methods, such as microwaves. In Haiti the plant is called kalbas kouran literally meaning "running calabash", and is used to make the sacred rattle emblematic of the Vodou priesthood, called an "asson". The bottle gourd plant is highly respected in many areas, so much so that the bottle gourd happens to be the national tree of St. Lucia.

Preparation and cooking of bottle gourd

The calabash, as a vegetable, is frequently used in Asian cuisine as either a stir-fry or in a soup. In Burma, young leaves are also boiled and eaten with spicy hot fermented fish sauce called nga peet. And in Central America seeds of the bottle gourd are toasted and ground with other ingredients (including rice, cinnamon, and allspice) to make horchata, a popular drink of the region.

The bottle gourd taste is mild and subtle, making it a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into various dishes. 

To prepare the bottle gourd for cooking, first wash and peel the skin off using a vegetable peeler. Cut off the ends and slice the gourd lengthwise to remove any seeds or pith inside. From there, you can chop or dice the gourd depending on your recipe.

In terms of cooking methods, stir-frying is a popular technique when using bottle gourd in Asian cuisine. Simply heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat and add sliced bottle gourd along with other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms. Stir-fry for a few minutes until the gourd is tender yet still slightly crisp.

Another delicious way to enjoy bottle gourd is by making soup with it. You can use it as the main ingredient or combine it with other vegetables and broth for a flavorful and nutritious soup. Simply simmer diced bottle gourd in broth until soft, then blend together for a smooth texture.

Bottle gourd can also be used in curries, stews, and even baked dishes like casseroles. Its mild flavor makes it versatile enough to pair with various spices and seasonings. It can also be grated and added to pancakes or fritters for a unique twist on traditional recipes.

In other cultures, this gourd is cooked just like a summer squash and enjoyed with a variety of toppings including butter and brown sugar. Often connected with Indian cooking and spices, the bottle gourd is very typically surrounded with warm, spicy aromas. When making Thai-style calabash curry, coconut milk is used alongside red curry paste, fish sauce, ginger, and lemongrass to enhance the flavor and texture of mature bottle gourd. Additionally, grated bottle gourd is a key ingredient in the preparation of the Indian sweet 'Doodhi Halwa' and is also used in soups. Various methods of preparing the gourd for cooking include peeling and cutting it into cubes, chopping it into pieces, grating it, and slicing it for different recipes and dishes.

If you have never tried bottle gourd, today just might be your lucky day. See if any specialized grocery stores in your area offer this delicacy. Then, after you are done with it, you get to have a craft project to play with. Decorate the outside skin, then use it for a bird feeder in your own back yard. How about that? Dinner and entertainment all wrapped up in one thick-walled gourd.