Discard the remaining portion
Important: Cooking does not reliably destroy cucurbitacins. Boiling or frying will not necessarily make the food safe.
How to Reduce Your Risk
To reduce the risk of poisoning, consider these practical food safety habits:
Habit Why It Helps
Buy from reputable suppliers Reduces risk of cross-pollination or stressed crops
Taste a very small piece before preparing Allows you to detect bitterness early
Never
continue eating a bitter vegetable Bitterness is the clearest warning sign
Avoid damaged or unusually shaped produce May indicate stress or cross-pollination
Wash fresh produce thoroughly Removes surface contaminants
Store vegetables properly Keeps them fresh and safe
Avoid saving seeds from bitter plants The tendency may persist in future crops
A Note for Home Gardeners
If you grow your own cucurbit vegetables, it’s especially importantto:
Avoid saving seeds from plants that produced bitter fruit
