Tag: Decorative gourds

While some gourds are perfectly safe to eat raw, a startling number are not and can cause severe food poisoning. It is a common misconception that all members of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes gourds, are edible. Before adding any gourd to your meal, it is critical to understand the distinction between edible and ornamental varieties and how to identify potentially toxic ones.

Some squashes can be toxic. The Cucurbitaceae family, including squashes, gourds, and melons, can produce bitter, toxic compounds called cucurbitacins. Knowing which squashes are not edible is crucial for consumers, as eating toxic varieties can cause severe gastrointestinal distress.