What is This???

If you're thinking a pumpkin, you're wrong! Our wonderfully kind, non-English speaking (chain smoking) neighbors stopped by this morning and offered us some of their bounty. If you ever came to our house this summer, you would have seen this plant/jungle taking over our neighbor's yard. Apparently they got too many gourd-looking things, and offered us some. We've tried asking them what they were growing, but due to the language barrier, we're no closer now than we were then. And now we have one! We'd like to try it, but we have no idea what it is, so we have no idea how to prepare it. Due to our neighbor's oriental descent and language, we're guessing this vegetable-thingy is a big thing over there, but we still don't know. Does anyone have any suggestions or insights????