[Baldy]

From the seed circle I've got about 10 fat babies that have germinated. Any advice about growing them at home / on the allotment - where I am working away every other week so things have to put up with a certain amount of neglect. Also, how best to eat  / cook  one's fat baby? 

Pip pip,
Balders

[Baldy]

Don't seem to be able to edit my own post so...
http://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10749 - seems having a Fat Baby might be quite contentious. 

Pip pip,
Balders

[Bing]

are you growing Caigua aka Achocha? I got two germinated. I heard they will go bonkers when established.

and there is an article about the ancient vegetable of South America: http://www.rain-tree.com/caigua.htm#.VU5xCZNn3s1

[surbie100]

They are deceptively thin and wipsy and they do go bonkers. I had some seeds from Sunny last year and 3 plants completely covered a 7ft x 6ft shed wall and then moved round to conquer the other side.

I had about 4.5kg of achocha, cropping from 5th August to 7th Nov when the frost killed them. They needed very little care, bar some water splashed around them every now and then.

I have never seen anything grow so fast from such feeble beginnings. I dread to think what happens if you keep them in a greenhouse.

[Baldy]

OK - I'm almost as good as Lardman at not getting things to grow. 
It will be interesting to see whether my ineptitude beats the fat babies need to go wild...
Do you use them like cukes in salad or stuff 'em (like green peppers) ?

Pip pip,,
Balders

[LotuSeed]

OK - I'm almost as good as Lardman at not getting things to grow. 
It will be interesting to see whether my ineptitude beats the fat babies need to go wild...
Do you use them like cukes in salad or stuff 'em (like green peppers) ?

Pip pip,,
Balders

Stuff 'em. There's loads of recipes for achochas rellenas, but if you don't understand español, gurgle stuffed achochas and you should get some results in English.

[Norfolkgrey]

The variety fat baby are best grown outside and can be slow to get going but will go bonkers. If you recognise the seedlings it is unlikely you will need to replant for several years after 

I use them anywhere I would use green peppers. One thing I keep meaning to try is pickled achocha.

[surbie100]

Same as Norfolkgrey, I use 'em instead of green peppers. The seeds are on a very handy stalk for quick prep.