when does a courgette become a marrow?

hungrynurse_2

linguistics aside, at what length/ weight/ age does a courgette become classed as a marrow?

Zazen999

Whenever you look at it and think 'dang, I missed that one'.

Why?

stilernin

Err.... about 6"

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

It becomes a marrow exactly ten seconds after you decide, right, that one doesn't need picking tonight and go back indoors for your tea.

I would say that once you can't wrap your fingers round it without there being a gap between thumb and index finger, it is officially no longer a courgette, or in other words, once it goes from looking a bit rude to positively obscene in your hands!

wallbash

What a wonderful thread and fantastic replies :rotfl:

southernscouser

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

once it goes from looking a bit rude to positively obscene in your hands!

As your name suggests, you're probably gripping it too tight. If it goes purple, you definitely are.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

southernscouser wrote: »

As your name suggests, you're probably gripping it too tight. If it goes purple, you definitely are.

Never had any complaints...:D

hungrynurse_2

never thought such a question would initiate so many top replies! Was thinking more for the purposes of cooking

irishwexford

How I agree with some of these replies. Last year I lost the plot, left allotment in evening with courgettes, came back next morning to find marrows. As quick as that. This year I am picking them small but still have a lot of marrows growing in raspberries, rhurbarb and everywhere else even though I did not plant any, must be the birds. I dont like marrows.

valk_scot

hungrynurse wrote: »

never thought such a question would initiate so many top replies! Was thinking more for the purposes of cooking

What, you want a serious reply??? Oh how boring...

Well, it's when the seed cavity in the centre of the courgette starts opening up. If you cut a courgette open crossways the flesh should still be solid all the way through. Once it starts to go fibrous and stringy in the centre, it's a marrow. You usually have to scoop this bit out when you prepare a marrow. So if a given courgette seems light for its size, it's a marrow.

And maturity has nothing to do with size btw. (;)) Different varieties of courgette plant produce different sizes of courgette/marrows. There are varieties which only produce mini courgettes and varieties which are bred to produce giant marrows.

theGrinch

a survey I read in a book in boots claims that gardeners exaggerate the size of their marrows by 50% to impress the neighbours