Chiberro, botanically classified as Cucurbita ficifolia, grows on long vining plants that can reach up to fifteen meters in length and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, along with melons, cucumbers, and pumpkins.
A type of squash
Chiberro, a relatively unique variety of squash, is often confused with a spotted melon, and its confusing appearance may also be responsible for the many different names this squash is known by.
The name chiberro comes from the Nahuatl word "Tzilacayotli", as do other variations of the name across Latin America.
It is also known as seven-year melon and Malabar squash, but it is most commonly recognized as fig leaf squash.
Both the pulp and seeds of the Chilacayote squash, as it is also called, are used in culinary applications, and the squash is renowned for its excellent storage capacity.
A rich squash
The chilacayote squash contains a unique vitamin known as vitamin B8, or D-chiro inositol, which is used as a natural antihyperglycemic, or insulin mediator, for diabetics. The seeds also have a high protein content.
In Honduras, chiberro is offered as an offering to the Virgin Mary. This sacred day is celebrated on the Friday before Palm Sunday, and the squash is traditionally cut into large pieces and candied.
The resulting Alcitrón sweet is distributed to visitors and revelers who come to the various altars set up for the Virgin Mother.
In Southeast Asia, where the fruit was probably introduced by explorers and travelers from South America, it is called shark fin melon.
