Snake gourd

Trichosanthes cucumerina, T. pilosa

vegetable

A long, thin green gourd, sometimes coiled like a snake, cooked young in curry, kootu or stir-fried, in southern India and Sri Lanka.

Origin

India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

Young, it is eaten whole, after scraping off its thin film; older, the seeds and the pulp around them are removed.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

A stone is sometimes hung from the end of the fruit so that it grows straight.