Anchote; Coccinia abyssinica

[raf]

Ran across Anchote in some of my recent reading, it's a Cucurbitacea that's grown for its root. Native to Ethiopia but grown in surrounding countries as well, apparently tolerates heat & poor soil.
I was only able to find one person growing it in the United States (Pennsylvania) he stated that it grew exceptionally well with no disease noted and minor insect damage but did require a long season to set seed. 
The grower said it tasted about like a potato but required a longer cooking time to get tender.

The pictures I've seen it seems to have a growth habit similar to luffa (it'll climb over anything that doesn't move & ride trellises to the ground)
I've reached out to him to see if he has seed.
I have found (it's on the way) Coccinia megarrhiza seed but don't know if it has the same habits or edibility, being Cucurbitacea some are awful to eat & incredibly bitter but the megarrihza in the name makes me think it also has a large root.

It'll be a fun one to grow and watch this season.

[macmex]

There's a cucurbit in desert areas of Central Mexico. Looks just like a squash and has small round green fruit with light colored stripes.  Every part of the plant is exceedingly bitter, if not downright poisonous. Hope you can get seed of this one Raf. I'd sure love to try it some day. 

[macmex]

If it does well for you, count on me requesting some seed!