Tromboncino ~ when to harvest..?

[SusieG]

Some pics of my tromboncino - growing well, BUT, when are they ready to harvest ........?

How do I cook 'em.......?

[Scarlet]

Pick them any size. I often start with them really small. Use just like courgettes, the seeds are in the end. I don't use that big. If you leave them on the plant to grow and mature they will harden up like a squash that you can store. Depends what you lije to eat. If you let any carry on too big though the plants stop producing do I usually keep picking often.

[SusieG]

Oh thanks scarlet!

So pick them small to use like courgette (not using the end where the seeds are)
And bigger, like a marrow, squash with tougher flesh for storing.

I'm going to have to pick some off to try ---- do they taste the same as courgette .....??

[Scarlet]

Yes, very similar but drier when cooked. I much prefer the texture of them to courgettes. You obviously get more flesh if you let them grow on but I find them the same as courgettes, the more you pick the more they grow.

[veggiechicken]

Nothing wrong with the seed end - they'll be soft seeds like cucumber ones, if you pick the tromba young.

[SusieG]

Nothing wrong with the seed end - they'll be soft seeds like cucumber ones, if you pick the tromba young.

Well I'll try them....!!!!

[skeggijon]

I've had quite a lot of mine and I find them a bit sweeter than courgette. Like Scarlet, I think the texture is preferable too

[SusieG]

I've had quite a lot of mine and I find them a bit sweeter than courgette. Like Scarlet, I think the texture is preferable too

Ooooooh ~ I'm getting really excited about these trombos now ......... Hmmmmm now what shall I cook with them ............

[skeggijon]

I cooked my last ones with aubergine, onion and tomatoes. the best homegrown ratatouille ever

[Scarlet]

^^^^and if you add garlic, capers, olives and parsley with a little herb vinegar you get a twist on caponata. It doesn't last long here

[muddled]

mine are the size of an earth worm....a very little earth worm

[piskieinboots]

I'm listening to R4, Charlotte Mendelson is being interviewed about gardening and writing. She is talking about the joys (!) of Tromboncino - I've never heard of these babies, so naturally I jumped on here and did a search

Did you grow them as you would courgettes?

[Bigmallly]

Grow them like a climbing squash Suzie.