Irish Grown Chilacayote
Fat Tomato chemical free Irish garden seeds
Fat Tomato organic Irish seed packet sowing in Polytunnel
Irish Grown Chilacayote
Fat Tomato chemical free Irish garden seeds
Fat Tomato organic Irish seed packet sowing in Polytunnel

Chilacayote Seeds

€4.00

Cucurbita ficifolia

Chilacayote, also known as Seven-Year Melon, Black Seed Squash, Malabar Gourd, or Fig-Leaf Gourd, is a vigorous heirloom gourd grown for centuries across Mexico and Central America, and later adopted in parts of Asia and Africa.

This strong, trailing vine produces large, round to melon-shaped fruits with distinctive, mottled green skin and crisp white flesh. Very productive: a single plant can yield 5 to 10 fruits or more. The fruits store for a very long time, making it both a practical and ornamental crop.

Widely used in traditional cooking when mature and cooked like squash, and harvested young like courgette, Chilacayote is a fascinating, long-keeping variety with deep cultural roots.

Average number of seeds: 8

Open-pollinated, chemical-free seeds. Grown and saved in Wexford, Ireland. We only grow and save seeds from plants that were started from certified organic seeds.

Each seed packet includes growing tips and cooking suggestions inside.

Cucurbita ficifolia

Chilacayote, also known as Seven-Year Melon, Black Seed Squash, Malabar Gourd, or Fig-Leaf Gourd, is a vigorous heirloom gourd grown for centuries across Mexico and Central America, and later adopted in parts of Asia and Africa.

This strong, trailing vine produces large, round to melon-shaped fruits with distinctive, mottled green skin and crisp white flesh. Very productive: a single plant can yield 5 to 10 fruits or more. The fruits store for a very long time, making it both a practical and ornamental crop.

Widely used in traditional cooking when mature and cooked like squash, and harvested young like courgette, Chilacayote is a fascinating, long-keeping variety with deep cultural roots.

Average number of seeds: 8

Open-pollinated, chemical-free seeds. Grown and saved in Wexford, Ireland. We only grow and save seeds from plants that were started from certified organic seeds.

Each seed packet includes growing tips and cooking suggestions inside.

  • Chilacayote loves warmth and space. For best germination, ensure temperatures are at least 20°C. Sow seeds indoors in small pots using peat-free organic compost, planting them point-side down about 1.5 cm deep. Keep warm and evenly moist until germination.

    Grow plants on in good light, then harden off before planting out once all risk of frost has passed. Plant in full sun outdoors or in a polytunnel, allowing plenty of room for the vigorous vines - space plants 90cm apart. Provide strong support or allow to trail.

    Sow indoors: April to early June

    Plant out: Late May to July

    Harvesting time: September to October

    Check out our Grow & Cook section for more growing tips.

  • Chilacayote is wonderfully versatile, used in both savoury and sweet cooking. Its mild, gently sweet flavour and tender texture suit soups, stews, curries, and pickling. When young, it can be cooked like courgette; when mature, it behaves more like winter squash.

    In Mexico, chilacayote is traditionally simmered with sugar and cinnamon for desserts, or used in savoury dishes such as Sopa de Chilacayote. It is also excellent grilled, stuffed, or cooked down into jams, jellies, and refreshing drinks. Don’t waste the seeds - they are delicious toasted and lightly salted.

    Check out our Grow & Cook section for more cooking ideas.

  • Check our frequently asked questions page for answers to all those questions you might have.

    If you have a specific question, feel free to reach out to us at hello@fattomato.ie

Anthony sowing Fat Tomato Irish Garden Seeds