Yuk! Something living in my marrow...

[heebiejeebie]

I picked my biggest marrow to cook today, cut it open and found...




woodlice! Dozens of them!


I suppose it already has a protein filling...

[Slug]

Eughhhh.....!

One to add to the recipe collection....?

[pickledtink]

I hate those things. They seem to just suddenly invade something and eat it alive. I found loads of them squirming all over a nice little strawberry plant yesterday. They destroy the roots too which is worse. One year they totally destroyed my two pumpkin plants.
I wonder if there's an organic way to get rid of them?

[Shortie]

H F-W says they tasted a bit like shrimps when boiled... maybe you could make a marrow and shrimp surprise?? The surprise being the shrimp content

[pickledtink]

H F-W says they tasted a bit like shrimps when boiled... maybe you could make a marrow and shrimp surprise?? The surprise being the shrimp content

Eeeeeeuw!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

A much as I love H F-W and all his stuff - not too sure about woodlice stuffed marrows! What a shame. Better luck next time. dexterdog

[heebiejeebie]

Fortunately they only nested in one. Chucked it in the compost.
On a related topic - anyone got a recipe that makes marrow actually taste of something?

[nick the grief]

The reason they taste like shrimps is they are Shrimps well relatives anyway. They just evolved into land critters but I think they still need moisture to breed (bit like land crabs)

[Squirrel]

Used to like prawns until someone told me the other day they were kin to woodlice!

[nick the grief]

I wouldn't eat snails ... but I quite happily eat cockles etc

[Squirrel]

Can't stand snails! In the garden or on my plate - don't like mussels, oysters etc either, but love prawns, lobster, crab and fish!

[Don Vincenzo]

Marrow recipe

On a related topic - anyone got a recipe that makes marrow actually taste of something?[/QUOTE

The best is not to allow marrows to reach maturity. However mature marrows and pumpkins can be skinned and sliced, fry both side till almost cooked finish them off with sugar, salt, vinegar and chopped fresh mint till the cooking liquid is reduced. Serve at room temperature or cold. This is a popular dish in Sicily but pumpking is used. I tried it with marrow, the taste is very close so I presume that this cooking method applies to any squashes.
Regards
Don Vincenzo

[pickledtink]

Fortunately they only nested in one. Chucked it in the compost.
On a related topic - anyone got a recipe that makes marrow actually taste of something?

This was cooked for me by an Italian friend.
Peel deseed and half lengthways. Slice into thick chunky slices. Chuck in a lidded heavy duty saucepan with glop of olive oil and a lump of butter. Add some horseradish sauce, salt and pepper to taste and saute. Turn heat right down and give it a shake occasionally to let it mix and steam. It's done when the marrow goes sort of translucent and glossy looking.

Another way is to peel and layer in thin slices with sliced tomatoes, cheese and any tomato based pasta sauce in a baking dish. Finish with cheese as the top layer and bake. Great with crusty bread as a light meal or a starter or side veg dish.

Peel and saute thinnish slices in olive oil and garlic very quickly at medium heat to brown each side lightly. Vary this by adding any fresh herb you fancy or sesame seeds or sunflower and/or pumpkin seeds.

Peel whole and slice into rings about 2 inch wide. Steam lightly then plonk on a baking tray and stuff and bake.

Maybe I should cross post this in the recipe section. You'll get loads more good suggestions in there.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi HJ - perhaps you could let us know how the receipe tastes? My squash/courgettes are still a little small. Will keep a courgette growing 'coz am I right in thinking they are "baby marrows"? dexterdog

[heebiejeebie]

mmmm sounds good! I'll let you know how they turn out.

Yes dexterdog, I have a choice of courgettes and marrow from the same plants. Next year I will suggest we put in 2 plants as my allotment-mate and I can't keep up with the produce from 4!