Guinea Bean or Snake Gourd Seeds (Lagenaria siceraria var.)

Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.
A member of the bottle gourd tribe, Guinea Bean bears light green, cylindrical fruits up to 5' long with creamy-white flesh similar to squash. It was believed to originate from New Guinea, hence the name, but it is now known to hail from Africa and is also considered a traditional Italian vegetable called cucuzza. For cooking, pick the green fruits when less than 2' long and prepare like squash.

Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost in well-drained, fertile soil. Best grown on a strong trellis or other supportive structure. Approximately 6-8 seeds per packet.