Gourds

Mary asked Tom to buy some berries; didn't matter what sort, she said. Tom, a botanist, returned with bananas, lemons, pineapples, aubergines, peppers, various melons and gourds, tomatoes, avocados, dates, kiwis and, to top it all, papayas – proud of having gathered such a selection. Yes, it had cost him no little amount, but satisfying Mary to the highest degree was always Tom's number-one priority.

In Chandipur village in southwest Bangladesh, lush vines sprouting pumpkins and gourds cover the tin roofs of small homes.

Stuffing cucumber and calabash are gourds.