courgettes or marrows!!

[prigmore]

I am new to growing veggies so could you foodies tell me when does a courgette become a marrow? I planted courgettes but have so many they have become marrows (I think) Hubby bless him likes courgettes but not marrows. I do have problems!!

[Kim A]

When the courgette has passed from being a maximum inch in diameter, I'd say it was well on it's way to becoming that beast of the vegetable world, the marrow.........We pick ours when they're anything from little finger sized, to Smartie tube size (across, not lengthwise). Any bigger and they get stuck straight onto the compost heap. I'm with your man on the marrow thing - see earlier postings today about what to do with a marrow.....................................

[prigmore]

Thanks Kim next year I will pick them earlier when they are still 'courgettes'. Will check out recipes..

[compostman1]

If you do end up growing too many of the little blighters here's a recipe for courgette soup its yummy and it freezes well, so you can get rid of the excess in Augustand enjoy it in December when its cold.
Serves 6-8
2 tbspn Olive oil
1 large onion chopped
8 courgettes (next sizeup from smartie tubes)
2 medium spuds peeled & chopped
salt & pepper to taste
3 1/2 pints stock
3 tbsp chopped fresh basil ( or equivalent of dried)
1bay leaf
4 tbsp double cream/milk (or leave it out)

Cook onion in oil over med. heat until softened. Add cougettes, spuds & seasonining, cook for a few minutes. Stir in stock , cook on medium until taters are soft. Add basil & bay leaf simmer for 10 min. Take off heat , remove bay leaf, let the soup cool a little then whizz in a blender/processor till you are happy with the consistency add the cream/milk. Either eat straight away or freeze until the weather gets nasty and you can get the old man to heat it through. Then sit back with a smug grin and think "I growed that" (especially if they are you own spuds as well)
Have fun
I.

[naz_nomad]

thank for posting that recipe compostman1 ...

I'll be using it this week, I reckon.

p.s. Ingenoious courgette sizing table you've devised ... (next sizeup from smartie tubes) ... you should do a whole list for us.

[compostman1]

naz the idea for the size guide came from Kim A in 1st answer on this thread. Probably not a good idea to ask what other measuring sticks are in use at her house. lol.

[curiosity]

I made a great mousakka with our courgettes, quickly grabbed up as they were something that looked "grown enough" have also had an enormous smelly cabbage, rather small but nice onions, if only the carrots had behaved I could have made a coleslaw, but just not to be. Good luck, this allotment thing though I find, you have to cook around it, rather than have what you want on hand. Still tastier though.

[WendyS]

I prefer to pick our courgettes when they are no more than five inches long, but dare to go away on holiday, or even a week-end and you will certainly find you have marrows. However, if you have a griddle or a grill, cut the larger courgettes lengthways into strips, remove the seeds & cover with a little oil and grill or griddle them. They will be much more palatable like this, chargrilled, than the mushy effect you get when boiling them & they will be much more digestible. . Incidentally, if you have enough plants to pick the courgettes when they are only three inches long they are deliciously edible thinly sliced raw with a tomato & onon salad and vinaigrette dressing.

[prigmore]

Thanks for all the ideas, the soup sounds better than the one I made with courgettes and spinach it looked like green algie. Much obliged.

[Remeboy]

Kim, I reacon you will have a Compost Heap full of them, what with all them seeds being planted.