Spiny courgettes

[Homewood]

I've searched everywhere to find out about the little spiny hairs on the courgettes I'm growing and nowhere is helping me. Theres a lot about the spines on the plants, but what about on the actual veg? Do I need to do anything before eating them (beyond the usual washing)? I have no idea what variety they are, as they were given to me by a colleague. But they seem to be trailing....
This is a plea from a very newby grower - please help!

[Two_Sheds]

Those are nasty little hairs on the vines aren't they? They really irritate my skin.


I hadn't noticed any on the fruits though

[womble]

I've got spiky fruit this year on some of mine, I think Green Bush is one of the worst. I just ignore them, cook them and then forget all about it, so I presume from that, that they disappear when they are cooked

[taff]

sure they're courgettes?
you can get small spiny cucumbers...if they're anything like those types of spikes, rub them off before you use it.
got a picture? I'd love to see one

[Homewood]

Thanx womble. I just gave it more vigorous wash and then cooked it.... There were still spines on it tho.... No adverse affects as yet!

Taff - will take a photo tomorrow for u. Hadnt thought that it might not be courgette.....

[Homewood]

Here's a pic of one of the courgettes that are on the plant at the moment. As you can see it's quite hairy.... they are small wiry hairs which don't all come off when washed and rubbed.

[armthorpe]

Got them on mine this year (defender) but not as bad as yours. Mine are hard to see but you can feel them with your fingers when picking them.

Made the wife jump when she touched one so can't be all bad.

[rustylady]

I suppose you could peel them if you really don't like the spiky bits.

[toastie]

My courgettes are a bit hairy this year but not as bad as in the picture. By the time they're washed they've obviously disappeared. We grew the same variety last year (from seed) but can't remember them being hairy or perhaps they were and I've forgotten.

[Bigmallly]

I was wondering if scrubbing them with a scourer may get rid of them.

[OllieMartin]

Here's a pic of one of the courgettes that are on the plant at the moment. As you can see it's quite hairy.... they are small wiry hairs which don't all come off when washed and rubbed.

I'm growing an opal variety this year, there aren't as many spines as your has (they're more like hairs), but the spikes on the opals are so sharp it can hurt picking them. But once cooked there aren't any left. Courgettes go fairly floppy anyway during cooking and I'd imagine fine hairs like those would burn off or melt away.

Verdict: fine