[debih]

I have two courgette plants, both of which are the yellow round variety which I have not grown before.

One plant is now quite big (it has been residing in the polytunnel after disguising itself as a cucumber for the first part of its life) and the other much smaller as that has been outside.

They both have fruit on, the larger plant having larger fruit.  The largest fruit is about the size of a golf ball.

Does anyone know the optimum size for me to be harvesting them?

[stompy]

Sorry dedih i don't know.

But, what are the benefits of growing a round courgette (if any) ?

I find that the cylindrical types are just the right size/shape for cooking so i can't understand why we have round ones?

[LivvyW]

I reckon if you were into stuffing them, then round ones would be nice to stuff?

[stompy]

Hmmmm, 

[shokkyy]

If it's the Summer Ball variety, I grew those last year and they were superb. They taste delicious whether raw in salad or cooked. It's a slightly sweeter flavour than a standard green cylindrical courgette with a thinner skin. It's really down to personal taste what size you pick them, but if you want them raw in salad I'd think the taste would be more delicate if picked small, about golf ball size. If you want them stuffed and baked, then obviously it'd be better to pick them bigger. And if you want to eat them sliced and sauteed or steamed, then you want them somewhere in the middle, maybe tennis ball sized.

[arugula]

But, what are the benefits of growing a round courgette (if any) ?

How about just for a change? DIfferent shapes, colours and textures make for an interesting plate.

[GrannieAnnie]

I've grown the green round ones and harvested them when they were tennis ball sized.  They were very nice and made a change!  But there were a couple that hid from me and they were melon sized!  Still tasted nice!

[stompy]

How about just for a change?

Ha ha, i don't dissagree with growing them, just wondered if i was missing out on something? 

[Paul Plots]

I picked the first of my round yellow courgettes a day or two ago at just under tennis ball size. Not tried them yet (as I'm so often out).

I'm pretty sure mine were called something-or-other tricolour so it'll be interesting to see if / when some produce green or orange fruit.

Growing them for a change and to reduce the glut of the traditional shaped fruits.

[Sue33]

be careful, they do like to hide away and then turn into footballs ovenight 

[compostqueen]

I grow the little yellow ones called Sunburst.  I pick them at golf ball size and they are gorgeous. You can split them in half if you want as they then lay flatter in the omlette pan    If you let them get a bit bigger, eg tennis ball size, it's not a problem but I think the recommend picking size is golf ball

The plant is tidy and compact which is good news too

These can be grated and used for cakes as well as in all manner of savouries

The little Green Buttons are treated the same 

[debih]

Thanks - I will pick a few tomorrow to go with salad.

One of the plants seems to have little green courgettes (round) on and the other is a yellow one. 

The main reason that I picked this type (not that I can remember what type they are without hunting out the packet) is that we are not a lover of courgettes in this house (the standard long green ones) but I like to grow them as I do like using them to bulk out shepherds pie, etc.   

I am hopeful that we will like these ones raw!

[shokkyy]

My husband didn't use to like courgettes, but he loves them stuffed and baked. He also likes them if I saute them with tomatoes and garlic.

[Sprouts]

Had some for my tea tonight in a stir fry. Very nice

[GrannieAnnie]

Picked when very small, Peenydog and I like them raw straight off the plant!  She is always following me around the garden when I'm harvesting!