Comments on: what’s cooking wednesday: calabrian prickly zucchini

By: anna

anna — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:49:14 +0000

re from Carmen Caruana (Malta), I have often seen these in the markets in Malta and wondered what you do with them – now I know. BUT as a bit of fun, buy one (Asda in UK) and put it in a pot on its side half covered with good potting compost. Keep indoors ( a sunny window) and one month on, you will have a 3′ plant climbing up the curtains!!! If it survives the winter stick it in the garden in the spring and see what happens
anna m

By: Carmelita Caruana

Carmelita Caruana — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:07:32 +0000

These are eaten in Malta, not by many I have to admit.

In Malta the are called “centinarja”, they are usually spine -free and most commonly they are made into fritters or soup or used in stews.

Interesting! Thanks for sharing

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:56:29 +0000

I have never seen these- I would love to taste them…they look yummy! Thanks for the lesson.

Susan’s last blog post..A Little Fun

Glad you enjoyed these Susan; they certainly are unique

By: Cornelia Warner

Cornelia Warner — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:10:37 +0000

has anyone seen this zuccini as a plant? I may have a volunteer in my garden, in southern Oregon. not a clue how it got there. has a yellow squash flower, tons of thorns, and leaves like an oak or a “moon and stars” watermelon plant.

Cornelia, I’m sorry I didn’t look at the plant it came from; the people who gave me them had already picked them

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:05:08 +0000

We eat this spiny delicacy the exact way we eat the Cucuzza Lunga, here in Sicily. Your pictures are great! I attached the link on how I prepare the Cucuzza Lunga, if you’d like to try to substitute in the spinosi. Cucuzza Lunga Enjoy! Jill's last blog post..And we're off... Yeah! Someone else who has heard of them! Thanks for the link--"cucuzza lunga" really doesn't do that thing justice! Wow!

By: Delina

Delina — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:18:19 +0000

Don’t think I’ve seen those before. I’d be a bit scared to eat one TBH. Ouch

Delina’s last blog post..Happy Festa delle Donne

Yes, this is a great time to have an Italian OH who enjoys such pursuits

By: Jennifer Young

Jennifer Young — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:57:18 +0000

A true labor of love! Ugly, yes. And yet, why is my mouth watering?

Jennifer Young’s last blog post..New art Auction: “Mountain Chalet”, Lake Como, Italy

Hey ugly food sometimes tastes great too. Great life lesson, don’t you think?

By: Pasticcera

Pasticcera — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:25:14 +0000

I found this vegetable in the autumn and had no idea what it was. The person in the market that sold it to me called it a Calabrian melanzane, so I had real trouble finding it until Rowena from Rubber Slippers came to the rescue. I was surprised to see yours is so white, mine were green. Have a look if you care.

Unknown Fruit, Italian Aubergine?

I have to say that I loved it dunked in a few bred crumbs and served with Rowena’s suggestion of Wasabi mayo!

Well I don’t know of prickly eggplant, but you never know

Actually mine are a pale yellow, and that’s what all the ones on the vine I saw looked like–maybe they are different types or just one is riper? Boh.

Also, as for the wasabi, you must be dreaming to think I can get *that* in Calabria

By: Rosa (something...)

Rosa (something...) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:47:55 +0000

I love it when you throw bits of Calabrese in ! It’s as if I was talking to my grand-mother. Speaking of whom, used to make the normal cuccuzzini in the same way only she’d sprinkle them with parmigiano at the end.

Mmm…I love parmigiano on anything! Hoping to have lots more Calabrese tidbits for you Rosa; I love sharing these things too

By: Laurie

Laurie — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:14:48 +0000

I have roses with big thorns and roses with little thorns..odd, the more prickly rose smells sweeter..
Are these available in the States?
Fun post Michelle and welcome back!

Laurie’s last blog post..Bucatini with Seared Rosemary Lamb in Pistachio Pesto Cream Sauce

I like that sentiment Laurie From other commenters, it seems that these are at least available in the Southwest; not sure about anywhere else.