Luffa gourds, sometimes called Chinese okra, are elongated fruits with prominent ridges, and a mild taste and delicate texture when eaten immature. (A different species is used to make fibrous luffa “sponges”; true sponges are sea creatures.)
From the book On Food and Cooking (2nd edition) by Harold McGee. © 2004 Harold McGee.
By permission of Scribner, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.