Luffa the sponge you can eat
Luffa is a fast-growing, long-season, warm-climate vine plant that can climb up to 15 feet high. The fruit is edible only when immature and is cooked like zucchini The matured fruit forms sponge-like fibers inside.
After the fruit matured, dried, skin and seeds removed/cleaned, fibers are often used as scrubbers, cleaning pads or bath sponges.Thus, this vegetable is also called Dish Cloth Luffa.
There are several types of Luffa grown in the Orient.
Young fruits are good for cooking and the long matured fruits are very popular for making the dish cloth sponges. For the best straight fruits, grow the plants along trellis or supports.