Tacaco
Sechium tacaco

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a climbing vine. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaf blades are 9-16 cm long by 9-15 cm wide. There are 3-5 lobes. The fruit are 5-6 cm long and oval. There are spines at one end. There is one seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the highlands of Costa Rica. It grows in humid places between 900-1,500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Costa Rica (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The young green fruit are boiled as a vegetable. The spin skin is removed. They are also pickled. The vegetable is used in soup.

It is a cultivated food crop. Fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, shoots, seeds

How it is grown

The whole fruit is sown.

Its other names

Local names

Chures, Kuk, Mirera, Qui

Synonyms

Frantzia tacaco (Pittier) Wunderlin; Polakowskia tacaco Pittier;