This came from a crop grown in South Carolina. What is it?
This is a dried and peeled luffa gourd. This ornamental (and edible) squash grows from a sturdy vine and can produce fruit up to 2 feet long. While most commonly known for its dried use as a sponge or dishcloth, the young fruit is also edible, with a taste that has been noted to resemble okra.
Luffa is an easy plant to grow as long as you have a good supporting structure for it to run along and make sure it gets plenty of water with good drainage. The fruit takes around 130 days to mature, so plant early in the season to ensure plenty of time for the fruit to grow before frost. Fruit will begin to lighten in color and feel dry when it is time to harvest. If you are expecting a hard frost/freeze, you should also go ahead and pick the fruit, as this is not a cold-hardy plant. A good rule is that when you can hear the seeds rattle inside the fruit when you shake it, it is ready to pick. Once picked, let the fruit continue to dry until the skin is brittle and brown. When this happens, peel away the skin, remove the seeds and wash the remaining flesh/sponge to remove any residue. Some people like to soak the sponge in a little bleach to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned. After cleaning, let it dry out again, then cut it into whatever size sponge you like.
Another thing to note is that these fruits produce lots of seeds, so be sure to save them for future plantings. I find they germinate better if you soak them in water overnight before planting.
This week’s question is from Sarah Scott, Midlands Fruit and Vegetable Agent.
The South Carolina Grower 