luffa
Luffa , or Loofah is in the same family as cucumbers and squash. When the luffa is very young (up to about 8 inches), green and soft, then it is edible. Peel the skins off and cut up in a salad. To make luffa soup, stir fry the pieces in oil, a little water and salt, then simmer and add a scrambled egg with more water. This soup is very healthy for your skin, eyes and brain! Add other ingredients as you wish.
When luffa is left to grow from dark green to brown on the vine, they begin to dry out. When they are completely dry, remove them from the vine. You can shake them and hear all the seeds rattle. They contain a large dried out sponge. Peel off the dried, brown skin and cut the luffa sponge in sections to use in the kitchen or bathroom.
Luffa loves full sun and one vine can grow dozens and dozens of luffa. I use the growing vine as shade for my chicken coops in the summer, and the vine dies out in the winter! Don't let the seeds loose on your property because these plants could become very invasive!