BEAN 'Chinese Python' --Trichosanthes cucumerina--

Rare! AKA "Snake Gourd" or "Snake Melon", as Trichosanthese is technically related to the Cucurbits. However, known and used more as a bean in its native China. Unusual and delicious, tastes somewhat like buttered green beans, or according to one grower "consistency of a cooked carrot or potato but tastes like fresh buttered corn"! Snake bean is almost completely absent in U.S. markets because its long, delicate fruit doesn't ship easily. This isthe largest snake bean variety,  growing up to 60 inches long and 1.5 inches thick at maximum! As it matures, it develops bright green color and a thin layer of wax on the skin. When harvested at 12-30 inches long, it can be used like green beans or summer squash. Traditionally stir fried with peppers and onions, and in Africa the inside of fully mature fruit is scraped out and used like tomato paste. Consider this a pole bean, as it will need a sturdy trellis. Pinching lateral branches under 30 inches will encourage climbing, and fruit will be straighter if it grows hanging straight down. 55-65 days, we recommend harvesting about 24" long. Heirloom.