Loofah (Luffa aegyptiaca)

Family: Cucurbitaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Luffa aegyptiaca or commonly known as Loofah is an annual vine popular for its fruits. It is native to South and Southeast Asia. The flowers are yellow. The fruits are about 30 cm long resembling a cucumber. The fruits are edible when young but become highly fibrous and inedible as they mature. However, such characteristics of mature fruits make it ideal to use as a scrubbing sponge.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Young fruits can be eaten in salads like cucumber. They are also used in soups, curries etc. The fruit is best picked young, when about 10cm long, and used like courgettes. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; Young fruits can be eaten in salads like cucumber.; They are also used in soups, curries etc.; The fruit is best picked young, when about 10cm long, and used like courgettes.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in a truly wild situation, the plant was probably originally native to India but has been cultivated for so long that its origins are uncertain. (Zone 10)