Article Nº 0633 Plant Vol. I · p. 347
Bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris)
Original title: Cabaceira (Lagenaria vulgaris)
The bottle gourd, a tropical cucurbit widely grown in Madeira, used for soup and, when dried, as a container for liquids such as wine or brandy.
A cucurbit native to the tropics and widely cultivated in Madeira. Its fruits are used to make soup, and once fully ripe and dried they can be used to hold liquids, since in that state it is easy to empty them of their pulp and seeds. The small gourd (var. pusilla), filled with wine or spirit (aguardente, distilled from sugar cane or wine), was once the constant companion of our country folk on their outings and pilgrimages.