Help identify this vegetable

GARDEN MYSTERY-The plant I.D. said "Asian cucumber" which, as the picture shows, is a slender green vegetable. But these vibrant yellow imposters are what that plant actually delivered--by the dozens. Something strange is happening out there in the vegetable bed. One of my plants, purchased at Do-it Center and marked "Asian cucumber," is producing something round and yellow/orange. I don't know what it is. I do know it's definitely not the skinny green Asian cucumber in the picture.

I thought it was some kind of squash or gourd but when I cut it open and looks and taste like a cucumber. Could this be a case of mistaken identity? You know those celebrities who use 20year-old PR shots that make them look young and fresh when they're not? Maybe this is a simple case of a photo that doesn't match its subject.

A cursory bit of research turned up the name lemon cucumber. Could that be what I have spreading profusely all over my beds?

I would appreciate someone telling me what this is. While you're at it, please tell me how big it should be when it's ripe enough to pick and--most important-how in the world to prepare it for human consumption. --Leslie Gregory Haukoos

leslieh@theacorn.com