India is the largest producer and consumer of bottle gourd in the world. It is used as a vegetable in various dishes, as a container for storing water and curd, and as a musical instrument in folk music.
China is the second largest producer of bottle gourd and also uses it as a vegetable, a medicinal plant, and a craft material for making lanterns, birdhouses, and other objects.
Nigeria is the largest producer of bottle gourd in Africa and uses it as a vegetable, a snack, a soup ingredient, and a source of fiber and oil.
Pakistan is a major producer and consumer of bottle gourd and uses it as a vegetable, a salad ingredient, and a coolant drink.
Mexico has a long history of using bottle gourd as a container, a musical instrument, a toy, and a ceremonial object. It is also eaten as a vegetable and a dessert.