Calabash

                           
                                

Common name : Krabasi, kalebas, huingo are some of the common names of calabash tree.
Ethnic names : jicara(Spanish), luch in Maya.
Scientific Name : Crescentia cujete
Origin : It belongs to the family of Bignoniaceae (Bignonia family) and also it is known to originate from Central America.
Appearance : Calabash Tree is a small evergreen tropical tree which can grow up to a height of 25 feet and produce fruits up to 25 cm in diameter. It has simple leaves and the bark of the tree is rough. The fruit is large, hard and green in color and takes about six months to ripen. They cannot be eaten but can be used for various ornamental purposes. The fruits are pollinated by bats and they develop from the trunk of the tree. The seeds of the fruit are flat, small and are embedded in the pulp.

Ever tried consuming calabash? If you haven’t heard before about it, bear in mind that it is considered a versatile tropical vegetable and you’re about to find out why. The versatility of the Calabash tree resides not only in its various medicinal properties provided by different parts of the tree, but also in its shells, with the help of which a wide array of household utensils can be made. Moreover, let’s not forget about its culinary role and its contribution to some wonderful and tasty recipes. If this miraculous vegetable has stirred your interest about its advantages in cooking and health, read on to discover what it has to offer!

Calabash description

Calabash is a small evergreen tropical tree that usually reaches a height of 22 to 25 feet. This special type of tree is also known under the scientific name of Crescentia Cujete and it is most commonly encountered in Central and South America and also in the West Indies. This medicinal herb has other names such as long melon or bottle gourd. 

The characteristics of the calabash tree are quite extraordinary because its crown can be described as broad and irregular with long and spreading branches. The leaves are simple in shape, the fruit is large, hard and green and it reaches maturity in about six months. In addition to this, the fruit cannot be consumed, but it can undoubtedly be used ornamentally. The seeds of the fruit are rather small and flat. An interesting characteristic of the calabash tree is that it produces nocturnal flowers depicted as greenish-yellow with purple veins. These flowers are actually pollinated at night by bats because they emit a specific odor that attracts them.

Calabash medical uses

As previously revealed, calabash can be referred to as a valuable medicinal herb because various parts of this tree contribute to treating and alleviating different ailments. For example, the pulp is well-known as a herbal remedy for its efficiency in dealing with respiratory problems such as asthma and cough. The juice from the pulp is used along with cinnamon, anise and nutmeg to prepare a herbal syrup which lessens chest disorders and treats gastrointestinal aches. It contains vitamin B1 and a rich amount of vitamin C. Its nutritional content includes calcium, iron, sodium and potassium.

The decoction of the bark can be used to cure wounds and the leaves have the ability to decrease blood pressure and headaches. These leaves can also be crushed and applied on wounds to favor clotting and healing. You may as well warm the fruit and apply it to abscesses or boils to reduce infections. Furthermore, calabash also acts as a purgative and laxative herb, because it helps purify the body if mixed with castor oil.

Calabash ornamental uses

The fruit’s dried shell is generally used to make various kinds of utensils, ornaments and musical instruments like maracas and guiro. They are commonly used to create bowls for drinking and eating, for carrying water or fishing. Many Caribbean dwellers use them to make outstanding art work such as painted and decorated shoulder bags, which are further purchased by impressed tourists. These shells are painted and carved and there are numerous gift shops in Belize that sell such cups, dishes and containers made from the calabash fruit because they appeal to many tourists and they aren’t expensive at all. The wood from the tree is greatly used to produce cattle yokes, wooden wheels, ribs in boat building and strips to create baskets.

Calabash culinary uses

In Chinese cuisine, calabash is known as hulu and is often fried or added to soups. Some Japanese use the dry shell as a container and others really use it for cooking. Japanese people buy this vegetable in the form of marinated strips in order to make rolled sushi. It is a well-known fruit in Burma and the leaves are boiled and consumed with a hot and spicy fish sauce. In Central America, the leaves are carefully toasted and combined with other ingredients to prepare a drink called horchata. Other parts that are also used as vegetable are the shoots and the tendrils.

Calabash side effects

Overuse of calabash in cooking various recipes is dangerous because it contains a toxic compound called tetracyclic triterpenoid cucurbitacin, that can trigger stomach ulcer. Pregnant women should not consume it because it was once used to induce labour.