Cyclanthera pedata – Caigua, Slipper Gourd, Stuffing Cucumber

Description

Cyclanthera pedata, known as caigua, is a herbaceous vine grown for its edible fruit, which is predominantly used as a vegetable. It is known from cultivation only, and its use goes back many centuries as evidenced by ancient phytomorphic ceramics from Peru depicting the fruits. Delicious! When cooked, baked or fried they taste like artichokes, asparagus and green peas combined.

An annual vine in the pumpkin family from the lower Andes of South America with crispy and succulent, slipper-shaped fruits that are used as a vegetable that can be eaten raw or pickled or used for stuffing and baking as one would use a hollowed-out Zucchini. Some of its ingredients are effective in reducing cholesterol levels. It is easily grown from seed, will grow even in climates with cooler summers and produces fruit in just a few months.