[veggie gal]

Hi i am growing courgettes for the first time they are looking really well lots of flowers and one or two fruits, the problem is what size should the fruits be and how to take them off any advice would be welcome thanks to all for reading this 

[DD.]

I don't like to say this, but the size they are in the supermarkets is a reasonable guide.

A sharp knife is quick, clean & painless, so I'm told!

[Pompey Spud]

About 6 inches I cut them.

Try and keep the flower on..it looks like you know what you're doing!!

Seriously the flower tastes rather nice fried in batter.

[digalotty]

i let mine grow bigger so that each one can make my delicious courgette soup but this year i am growing more plants so i can pick them smaller

[goose]

i agree, if it looks like a courgette, pick it.  otherwise the next day you will have a marrow!

[shokkyy]

I like letting them grow really big so I can stuff them with mince, onion, garlic, tomatoes and smother them with mozzarella and parmesan. Yum

[Salmo]

The more you pick the more they produce. If you leave them to get big they stop producing. Cut at about 6 inches.

[radiohead]

I have to disagree with leaving them to supermarket size.....by then they are dull and uninteresting...(IMO!). Pick them at about 4-6" and they are much tastier!.....

[bappelbe]

best trick is to pick some small, let some grow a bit and see which you prefer.

There will always be one that gets hidden by a leaf that grows huge by the time you find it!!

Bill

[BabbyAnn]

best trick is to pick some small, let some grow a bit and see which you prefer.

There will always be one that gets hidden by a leaf that grows huge by the time you find it!!

Bill

   I agree.  I love courgettes so tend to grow several and different varieties.  I start off eagerly harvesting them as soon as they start appearing, but then ... they seem to get exponentially out of control so they get picked at all sizes.  As you say Bill, there's always one that you miss and before you know it is a marrow LOL   

I also find at the end of the season before the frosts come that those picked at baby marrow stage (bigger than supermarket size but not quite full marrow size) can be stored at a cool room temperature indoors and will keep right up to Christmas and still be delicious whereas smaller ones don't do so well.

[DD.]

I have to disagree with leaving them to supermarket size.....by then they are dull and uninteresting...(IMO!). Pick them at about 4-6" and they are much tastier!.....

That's the size our local supermarkets sell them, so I'll stick with my original comment!

[lazza]

That's the great thing about courgettes.... you can pick 'em at any size.

Pick at 1-2" with the flower still attached, then stuff the flower with cream cheese and deep fry...

Pick at 3-4" for baby courgettes, cooked whole (nice on a BBQ IMHO)

Pick at 5-8" to slice and fry or use in ratatouille

Leave to grow into marrows to stuff with mince etc.