This project was started in the early nineties by modifying varieties of Squash (Cucurbita pepo) to create an alternative packaging for plastic bottles in the cosmetics industry. Squash are soft-skinned, colourful, edible and are generally smaller compared to bottle gourds but can also be cured.
In a later stage varieties of bottle gourds (Lagenaria siceraria) were used instead. These hard-skinned gourds are usually larger and have been used as containers throughout history.
