Never considered eating it. Some of the stuff that grows around here in west central Florida has those blueish purple blooms and these things that look like a cross between a potato and a kiwi. I have actually experimented with the vine itself. Pretty tough stuff that can be used for snares in a pinch or braided into a rope.

It depends on what part of the south. We never heard of it in my original home state, Texas. At least not in the Houston area. However, I do know that you can make a jelly from the blossoms and the roots are used as medicine in some parts of the world. I've never heard of eating the leaves or vine though.