
Cucuzzi (Zuchetta, Guinea Bean) Gourd
Days to Maturity: 60 days
Quantity: Approximately 3g or about ~20 seeds
This Italian heirloom, grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, produces pale green fruits up to 36 inches long. For the best tenderness, harvest at 6-12 inches. The fruits are milder than luffa and the bug-resistant plants make a great substitute for zucchini. Typically very vigorous, these plants can have a shorter season in colder, wetter conditions. The large, sprawling vines can grow up to 20 feet long and are best planted at the edge of the garden. At Monticello, they were grown up a sturdy 10-ft. tall wooden arbor.