Apple Pumpkin - Tinda Gourd (Benincasa fistulosa)

Apple Pumpkin - Tinda Gourd (Benincasa fistulosa): for lovers of exotic cuisine a delight from Asia, the apple pumpkin. Although at first glance it may seem like a lagenaria, it is actually of the same genus as Canton Wax Melon, both main ingredients of the traditional cuisine of many Asian countries but still little known in the West. In the next section you can find some recipes, in fact it allows for many different preparations in the kitchen. The taste changes depending on the state of ripeness, fresh, vegetable, acidic when immature (hence the name "Apple Gourd", i.e. "Pumpkin Apple"), whereas rounder, sweeter and of softer texture when mature, that is when black seeds similar, to those of watermelons, show up on the pulp. The cultivation is simple, it is only necessary to respect the macrothermal needs of the plant, do not anticipate the sowing, thanks to the particular precocity it can be grown throughout Italy even if sowing late. Its climbing, vigorous and fast-growing habit renders it excellent for a gazebo but it can also be cultivated on the ground, in the years of cultivation it has not shown any particular problems with peronospora or powdery mildew. It has a good supply of potassium. Recommended for the daring in the kitchen, collectors and the curious.