Buzz
As fall's chill sets in, people's tastes often change. Squash varieties—such as kabocha, butternut, and acorn—make their way into the hearty dishes that define the season. While gourds may decorate the dining table this time of year, they shouldn't be cooked. The crucial distinction that separates squash from gourds is their edibility, or lack thereof.
Gourds and squash share many traits. Both belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes cucumbers and watermelons among its 975 members. These fruits can be further classified into the genus Cucurbita. This nutrient-packed category encompasses virtually all of the woody-stemmed, tough-skinned, green or orange fruits often found at pumpkin patches during autumn.
No scientific definition separates squash and gourds. According to Emilie Berner, chef instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education, the difference lies in their culinary use. She explains, 'The main difference is that [squash are] considered edible, and then [gourds are] considered inedible.' She further notes that how we distinguish the two largely comes down to: does it taste good or does it not taste good?
Many gourds are simply too tough to eat. Dr. Joe Masabni, a vegetable expert from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, explained to Martha Stewart that some gourds, such as the daisy gourd, are not suitable for consumption no matter how long they are cooked.
Is it dangerous to consume a decorative gourd? It depends on the type. Certain gourds contain harmful compounds called cucurbitacins that can lead to digestive issues, vomiting, severe dehydration, and diarrhea. Varieties like angel wings, apple gourds, and gooseneck gourds can have harmful health effects if eaten. Even squash grown in home gardens can become unsafe through hybridization with wild, inedible plants.
The line between gourds and squash gets blurrier when you introduce pumpkins. The term isn't scientifically precise, and it could refer to any round and orange member of the Cucurbita genus. This means that pumpkins may be categorized as either gourds or squash, depending on whether they are bred for decoration or culinary use.
In conclusion, if you find a thick-skinned fruit in a fall display or pick it from a pumpkin patch, it's likely decorative. If you grab it from the produce section of the supermarket or a farm stand, it's meant to be eaten. For some fall recipe ideas, try making roasted butternut squash soup or soy-braised kabocha squash.
