[Optimistic Gardener]

This is my first year growing a patty pan.  I've got one already which is about 4 inches across; plenty more forming.  What should I look out for to know when its time to pick it?  How best to cook / prepare it?

Thanks

[ryetek]

I'll be watching this thread closely because we are in exactly the same situation as you Optimistic Gardener.

[compostqueen]

I'm growing Green Tint for the first time, and one that I always grow which is Sunburst. I like my patty pans small, eg golf ball size but if they do get away from you (and they do, very quickly) then it's no hardship    I use them as I would a courgette so that means you put them in everything!  Omelettes, stir fries, casseroles, soups, cakes, jams

[ryetek]

Thanks CQ. Ours are Green Tint too. Do these plants keep producing until the first frosts?

[Optimistic Gardener]

Crickey - I better harvest mine now before it becomes the size of a dinner plate!  Nomnomnom....

[ryetek]

My thoughts exactly OG   

[Kate and her Ducks]

I harvested the first of mine last night and CQ has it spot on. Keep on top of them or they end up huge and a bit tasteless.

[surbie100]

Thanks CQ. Ours are Green Tint too. Do these plants keep producing until the first frosts?

Mine did last year - and were as prolific as courgettes too.

[ryetek]

Thanks CQ. Ours are Green Tint too. Do these plants keep producing until the first frosts?

Mine did last year - and were as prolific as courgettes too.

That's great surbie100. Thank you.

[compostqueen]

I picked several of the patty pans today, along with various green courgettes. Used quite a few of them to make a colourful tomato sauce to go with the pasta. 

[pigguns]

I harvested 6 from one plant last night ranging from hand sized to golf ball to clear the plant as we're off on holiday. 

Bunged the lot plus some green normal shaped ones into some of Vals  chutney (my first ever!).  Even the kids fancied the smell (sweet and sour) but hubby thought I was making ratatouille 

[Ema]

I've had no fruits on mine yet just flowers

[mumofstig]

Same here Ema, just waiting for them to sort themselves out. Silly things only have male flowers so far 

[ghost61]

Now have a glut of patty pans as well as courgettes! Cannot cope with both....my question is do patty pans keep like other squash if 'cured'?

[mumofstig]

They are not long keepers like some of the proper winter-storage squash but the skins do harden if left to ripen.

I was asking for recipes in November last year 
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=100260.msg1113097#msg1113097