2.5.4 Cucurbits
Cucurbits are another major group of vegetables belonging to Cucurbitaceae that are culti- vated widely in the tropics and subtropics. The fruits are varied in nature, but all originate from an inferior ovary. Some cucurbits such as the cucumber (Cucumissativus) and melons (Cucumis melo) are consumed raw. The melons are fruits rather than vegetables. There are several varieties of gourds and squashes. Some of these include wax gourd (Benincasa hispida), bitter gourd (melon) (Momordicacharantia), squash (zucchini—Cucumispepo), wintersquash(butternutsquash—Cucumismoschata;turbansquashandbuttercupsquash— C. maxima var. turbaniformis; banana squash—C. maxima), pumpkin (C. pepo), and sphaghetti squash (C. pepo). Chayote (Sechium edule) is common in Mexico and Cen- tral America. The ripened pumpkins, squashes, and some cucumbers can be stored for months in a cool dry place. The cucurbits are chilling sensitive and low-temperature storage is not required. The bitter gourd, as the name suggests, is very bitter and does not store well. Water loss is a problem even at low temperature, and the vegetable is best used within a week of harvest. In general, young immature fruits are harvested for consumption. Several cucurbits are considered to have medicinal properties such as the bitter gourd (against type 2 diabetes).