A snake gourd to remember – almost one metre long!

The recent hot and dry weather has produced an impressive result in a Sussex garden – a snake gourd measuring just under one metre long and weighing over 5kg!

Mayor of Polegate Councillor Stephen Shing said: “This is only the third time in the last 30 years that I have managed to grow a snake gourd of this size. The warm, dry conditions have clearly provided excellent growing conditions for this unusually long vegetable.

"However, looking at the results from this year’s Polegate Front Gardens and Allotments Competition, the East Dean & Friston Vegetable, Fruit & Flower Show and the Stud Farm Allotment & Garden Society Annual Show, it seems that the hot and dry weather has not produced quite as many outstanding entries as in previous years. I therefore feel very lucky to have grown a snake gourd of this size!

"Growing a snake gourd this long is certainly something to be proud of – especially in the UK climate. It has been a real joy to watch it grow day by day, and I’m delighted with the result.

"If you are interested in growing snake gourds, you are very welcome to have some seeds from me free of charge.

"But now I have a dilemma! Young snake gourds are tender, delicious and ideal for stir-frying, while more mature gourds become harder and are better suited to soups and stews. So, the big question is – when should I pick it?

"Now I just have to decide: eat it young and tender, or let it grow even bigger?”