may be this link will help

http://www.localharvest.org/luffa.jsp

The luffa gourd is a vegetable of many names, including the washrag gourd, the dishrag gourd, and running okra. A member of the cucurbitacae family, the luffa gourd is closely related to the cucumber. They grow 1-2 feet long and are best for eating when 1-2 inches in diameter. When young, luffa are used in soups or stews or cooked like summer squash.

Sauteed tastes very good

I have grown them many times but only for the gourd to use for washing something. Maybe I let them get too big but wasn't impressed with eating them. There are too many other squashes that taste much better.

They work as a good zucchini substitute. I generally pick them at around 10 inches in length.

jctsai -- I tried the link several times. It says server not found. Thanks for trying to help.

katkin -- I agree that there are squashes that taste better but they don't grow in the heat of the summer. My goal is to try to grow food year-round.

I was looking at a seed supplier yesterday and discovered that there are several different varieties of luffa. Some better for sponges and some better for eating. I ordered sees of a new hybrid variety that is good for eating.

garden gal -- Thanks for that. I would be afraid to pick them that large unless someone said that it was a good size.

Christine

I didn't know that there were some varieties better for eating, I think I got my seeds at HD. Please let me know how the eating ones work out for you. Have you grown calabasa, Spanish pumpkin. It grows all summer in the heat, but it takes a lot of room. :o)