Actually, that's just what he told me, he said that it's a little bit like garlic and the fruit sprouts from the top, then you train it a bit like a runner bean. He was surprised that it had grown over here (he is Jamaican) but he's had a great crop and so have other people on his allotment (global warming methinks!) Me and OH followed his advice and had it thinly sliced as a salad extra (really good, bit like a crunchy cucumber) but he, and others said that it was almost better cut into chunks and put into casseroles and stews where it takes on a lot of flavour. He started it off in March but will have to find out how!
I'll keep you posted just in case anyone is interested!
Thanks
Raine