The unripe fruit is used as a vegetable and the ripened fruit is used as a loofah or a natural cleaning sponge. It can be grown as a houseplant in colder climates. The yellow blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and birds. This plant likes to live in full sun where it blooms repeatedly from late Spring until early Fall. The seeds can be roasted and salted and they are often eaten as a delicacy. Young fruit is eaten raw or cooked and are often used in salads. This fruit is widely used in curries and soups. The oil from the seed can also be used as a cooking oil. This plant is grown as an annual in all USDA Hardiness Zones.