Cucurbita ficifolia is an annual vine or trailing plant grown at high altitudes for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens. English names for the plant include chilacayote, chiverre,fig-leaved gourd, malabar gourd, Malabar squash, pie melon, or shark fin melon. In Spanish it is known as alcayota, cayote, cidra, chilacayote, chiverre, or sambo. It shows considerable biochemical difference from the other members of its genus, and does not hybridize readily with them.

Origin and distribution

It is native to the Americas mexico, although the exact center of domestication is unclear. Linguistic evidence suggests Mexico, because of the wide use of Nahuatl-derived names as far south as Argentina, while archaeological evidence suggests Peru, because the earliest remains have been found there. Biosystematics have been unable to confirm either hypothesis.

It is now grown in many parts of Eurasia, from France to India to Japan.

Uses

The most important use of Cucurbita ficifolia is for its fat- and protein-rich seeds. They are used along with honey to make palanquetas, a dessert.

The second most important use is for its fruit. The immature fruit is cooked as a vegetable, while the mature fruit is sweet, and used to make confectionery and beverages, sometimes alcoholic. The fruit has a low beta-carotene content, as can be seen from its white flesh. It has a moderate content of carbohydrates, and a relatively low content of vitamins and minerals.

The flowers, leaves and young shoots are used as greens. The vine and fruit are used for fodder.

In Chile, marmalade is often made out of "Alcayota".

In Asia the pulp strands are used to make soup, quite similar to "shark fin" soup (hence the name "shark fin melon"). Across Asia eating this melon is also said to help people with diabetes. Several scientific studies have confirmed its hypoglycemic effect.

External links

• Hypoglycemic action of Cucurbita ficifolia on Type 2 diabetic patients with moderately high blood glucose levels
• Neglected crops: 1492 from a different perspective (ch 10)