What are the benefits of snake gourd?
The red pulp of ripe snake gourd is an alternative for tomato in many dishes. Baked or sauteed snake gourd serves as a tasty side dish. Because of its hepatoprotective properties, an infusion of snake gourd leaves and coriander seeds act as an effect home remedy in fighting jaundice since it is said to lower the bilirubin levels.
What is the scientific name of snake gourd?
The Latin name for snake gourd is Trichosanthes cucumerina, and the plant is part of the same family as cucumbers, pumpkin, courgette, and even the bitter melon. You will also find it listed under common names such as padwal or chichinda, especially in India.
How many calories in a cup of snake gourd?
Snake Gourd Quick Facts Name: Snake Gourd Taste Bitter Calories 86.2 Kcal./cup Major nutrients Vitamin B6 (869.23%) Manganese (543.48%) ... Health benefits Lower fever, Diabetic treatment, Prevent ... 5 more rows ...
What is snake gourd chutney made of?
Because of its soft texture, it is sauteed into a paste ( chutney) with other ingredients like lentils, sesame and cumin seeds to prepare thogayal, a South Indian dish. Fritters prepared by dipping sliced snake gourd into a paste of besan ( gram flour) and rice flour accounts for a mouth-watering snack.
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Is snake gourd good to eat?
Snake gourds provide a myriad of health benefits. Apart from being rich in certain essential nutrients, they are also high in fibre. It helps to keep digestive issues like constipation at bay. Additionally, it also helps clean blood vessels, supports the immune system and improves blood circulation.
What is snake gourd good for?
Incorporating snake gourds in the regular diet also ensures that vital vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, B6, E, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and iron are supplied to the body in sufficient amounts, to carry out crucial metabolic functions in the system.
What is snake gourd called in English?
snake gourd, (Trichosanthes cucumerina), also called serpent gourd, rapid-growing vine of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), cultivated for its oddly shaped edible fruits. The snake gourd is native to southeastern Asia and Australia and is also grown in parts of tropical Africa.
What are the side effects of snake gourd?
Side Effect Oftentimes, a few snake gourd fruits can be bitter due to terpenoid toxic compounds such as cucurbitacin B, D, G, H, etc. Such fruits should not be consumed. In a case of discomfort after consumption (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or any feeling of uneasiness), one should seek immediate medical attention.
Why does snake gourd taste bitter?
As a Snake gourd gets older, the rind gets hard and turns red. The taste becomes bitter and the insides gelatinous.
Does snake gourd cause gas?
The only precaution that needs to be taken while consuming snake gourd is to avoid over consumption of its seeds. If consumed in excess the seeds can cause nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and gastric discomfort.
How do you eat snake gourd?
They can be prepared and used like zucchini, sautéed and served as a side dish or added to dishes with other sautéed vegetables. They can also be added to sabzi, chopped into curries, stuffed and grilled, made into a chutney, fried, blended into soups, sliced into stir-fries, or pickled for extended use.
Do we need to peel snake gourd?
Wash the veggie first. Trim the edges then Scrap the outer skin of the snake gourd , discard them.
Are snake gourd seeds poisonous?
The seeds of the Snake gourd are toxic to humans, but left-over fruit, pulp, and seeds can be used as fodder for livestock. Aside from edible Snake gourds, there are also snake gourds grown for ornamental use during the fall season. This variety has a harder rind and is not meant to be eaten.
Is snake gourd poisonous?
Snake gourd possesses many vital trace minerals. Hence, excessive consumption is harmful, as it may result in toxic levels of these metallic elements accumulating in the system.
Is snake gourd good for kidney?
You can term gourds as the Gods of vegetables for kidney diseases. Several varieties of gourds include bottle gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd, striped gourd, bitter gourd, and other gourds. These gourds are low in sodium and potassium content. Hence they are ideal for consumption for people with kidney disorders.
What can you not eat with snake gourd?
The main one is that gourd and egg should not be cooked or eaten together.
Snake gourd nutrition
Snake gourd is an annual climber belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae and commonly grown in Asian countries including Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Peninsula, and Philippines 12).
Snake gourd benefits
In Ayurveda and Siddha, the ancient medical system of India, the Snake gourd serves multiple purposes. Ingesting the fruit, leaves and flowers of the Snake gourd plant aided in digestive disorders, diabetes, skin diseases and general malaise. The root is used as a cure for bronchitis, headache and boils.
Can snake gourd be bad for you?
While there are no ill-effects of snake gourd as such, over consumption of the same may lead to stomach problems alongside a few other minor issues.
How to cut a gourd into thin discs?
For thin round discs, place the entire gourd horizontally and start cutting finely from one edge to get slices of the desired thickness.
What is a snake gourd?
The snake gourd is an elongated, green, narrow fruit native to India. Its snake-like, coiled appearance results in its name. Because of the several nutrients it has, the fruit is eaten as a vegetable mostly in its unripe form. Snake Gourd.
How to get rid of the tips of a gourd?
For chopping or dicing, place it horizontally and cut into two halves for convenience. Take one-half of the gourd and place it vertically on the board, slice it lengthwise into two long halves and remove the seeds.
What is the name of the South Indian dish that is made of lentils, sesame, and cumin seeds?
Because of its soft texture, it is sauteed into a paste ( chutney) with other ingredients like lentils, sesame and cumin seeds to prepare thogayal, a South Indian dish.
What is the color of Chinese cucumber?
Description. Also known as Chinese Cucumber, these slender gourds have a waxy exterior, striped with a lighter shade of green or even white. Mostly eaten in the raw form, the ripe ones turn orange while the matured gourds are red. Apart from the vegetable, other edible parts include the leaves, shoots, and tendrils.
Why is a vegetable used in curry?
Because of its nutritional benefits and soothing taste, the vegetable is used in various curry preparations.
What is snake gourd?
The Latin name for snake gourd is Trichosanthes cucumerina, and the plant is part of the same family as cucumbers, pumpkin, courgette, and even the bitter melon. You will also find it listed under common names such as padwal or chichinda, especially in India.
What is the Latin name for a snake gourd?
The Latin name for snake gourd is Trichosanthes cucumerina, and the plant is part of the same family as cucumbers, pumpkin, courgette, and even the bitter melon. You will also find it listed under common names such as padwal or chichinda, especially in India.
Why do snake gourds grow on trellises?
By allowing the plants to vine on trellises and other types of support, you will enable the fruit to develop naturally by hanging. Snake gourds grown on the ground will often rot and mold, and the fruit is more likely to be eaten by pests and insects, such as beetles, ants, and slugs.
What is the fruit of a Chinese snake?
Despite the name, the Chinese snake gourd (also known as Chinese cucumber) does not produce the same type of fruit as the ‘standard’ snake gourd. Primarily found in northeastern and central Chinese provinces, it is an essential fruit in the local traditional medicine and used in cooking. Its vines, leaves and flowers resemble those of the snake gourd, but the fruit is oval-shaped, about 4 inches (10cm) long, with orange flesh.
How to grow a snake gourd?
If you don’t have trellises, you can also grow snake gourd along a fence or make a support system using stakes and wire fencing. These plants can grow up to 2 meters tall, so they can easily reach that height.
How long is a snake melon?
The ornamental snake gourd plant produces very long fruits (often over 40 inches / 1 meter long) with thick, hard skin.
How many varieties of snake gourd are there?
There are two varieties of snake gourd, both of which are, essentially, the same species:
How to soften snake gourd?
Boil the cut snake gourd pieces in some water in a dish, on low flame, until they become soft.
How often should I use snake gourd gel?
When used once a month, this simple yet highly effective homemade snake gourd hair gel prevents flaking of scalp and ensures nourished and lustrous tresses.
Why do snake gourds have watery stools?
Bestowed with tremendous antimicrobial potential, snake gourd seeds combat invading pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria, toxins, parasites and viruses accumulate in the gut as a result of food poisoning, indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome, triggering recurrent bowel movements with wobbly, watery stools i.e. diarrhoea. Snake gourd seeds flush out the germs and contaminating particles from the stomach, intestines, restoring digestive health.
What is the purpose of snake gourd seeds?
The seeds of snake gourd supply potassium, a key mineral that maintains electrolyte balance in the body , besides isoflavone antioxidants, that prevent a sudden rise in blood pressure. By relieving extreme tension in the heart vessels - arteries, veins and capillaries, while promoting the smooth flow of nutrients to bodily organs via circulatory passages, snake gourd seeds mend instances of hypertension, regulating blood pressure.
How does snake gourd juice work?
Snake gourd stimulates the natural elimination of body wastes and kidney stones via the excretory system in the body. It boosts the secretion of fluids within the kidneys, promptly getting rid of accumulated toxins and at the same time, guaranteeing proper hydration of the internal organs in the body. Snake gourd juice supports the routine tasks of kidneys and bladder.
What is a snake gourd?
Snake gourd, scientifically termed Trichosanthes cucumerina, goes by several vernacular names such as Chichinda or Padwal in Hindi, Potlakaaya in Telugu, Chichinga in Bengali, Pudalankaai in Tamil and Padavalanga in Malayalam. The goodness of this green coloured vegetable has been well-regarded for its significant medicinal value ...
How long to cook dal and snake gourd?
To this sautéed mix in the pan, add the cooked dal and snake gourd with some water and boil for a few minutes.
How long are snake gourds?
Far more curious than its seeds are the snake gourd’s fruits. As the name implies, they are very (!) long, slender and often wriggly like a snake. The fruits can easily reach 1.5 m in length and in 2010 someone in Oman claimed to have grown the longest snake gourd ever at 1.88 m.
What is the snake gourd?
Like other gourds, the snake gourd is a member of the pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae) and has seeds similar to its cousin the water melon ( Citrullus lanatus ), although slightly more eccentric, sporting a jagged-wavy outline. Far more curious than its seeds are the snake gourd’s fruits.
Where is the snake gourd native to?
Probably originally domesticated in India, the wild form of the species ( Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina) is native to southern and eastern Asia as well as to Australia and the islands of the western Pacific.
Can you eat snake gourds when they are young?
Imagine how many scrubbing bath sponges you could cut from that whopper loofah! Like luffa gourds, snake gourds are eaten as a vegetable when very young, although they both taste rather bland. As snake gourds get older, their flesh becomes tougher and more bitter and their rind turns dark red and hardens.
Who is Wolfgang Stuppy?
He may be a Seed Morphologist but Wolfgang Stuppy of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank discovers there is more to the snake gourd than just some strange fruit and eccentric seeds.
Does Adam sell gourds?
Adam sells the fruit by weight. The gourds are not packed or wrapped, and sent to customers as they are. The gourds are collected and wrapped by staff in Adam's warehouse. Adam told me he’s been growing snake gourds for 5 years. His ambition is to grow the longest snake gourd ever! Good luck, Adam, and many thanks!
What is a Snake Gourd?
As its name not so cunningly suggests, a snake gourd is a gourd available in two varieties in the United States. Ornamental snake gourds are long, hard-shelled gourds grown as a curio in the garden, while their counterparts are edible wax-skinned gourds ( Trichosanthes anguina or T. cucumerina) that tastes much like a cucumber. Additional snake gourd info describes the interior of the striped, speckled fruit as being red, seeded and slightly slimy.
How long does it take to harvest snake gourds?
Harvest snake gourds when young, around 40-50 days from planting. The long varietals may then be ready when only 16-18 inches (41-46 cm.), while the shorter cultivars will be around 6-8 inches (15-20 cm.) in length.
How to grow bean seeds indoors?
Study the description of each, as some are smaller versions that might be more suitable for your garden. Start the seeds indoors early after soaking overnight to increase germination time. Transplant outside much as you would bean plants in well mixed organic matter and topsoil.
Where does the snake gourd come from?
This cucurbit originates in the Asian tropics and is borne from a rapidly growing annual vine with fruit that can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 m.) in length!
Where can I grow snake gourds?
Snake gourds grow in tropical regions, so a similar climate is ideal for cultivating snake gourds. My neck of the woods, the Pacific Northwest, isn’t a great place to grow this gourd. Luckily, we are rife with Asian markets and I can obtain them there. For those of you lucky enough to enjoy a warmer, drier environment, growing these gourds in the home garden is well worth the attempt. Apparently, the rule of thumb is, if you can grow lima beans in your area, you can grow snake gourds.
Is snake gourd a medicine?
Extremely popular in Indian dishes, it’s no surprise that snake gourd has found its way into ayurvedic medicine, often used as a cooling ingredient. Seeds of the snake gourd were sent to Europe from China in 1720. They have long been known to the American and European community, but were never cultivated since the plant needs warm nights to fruit. Today, there is renewed interest in its cultivation due to the rapidly increasing Indian communities in these areas of the globe.
Can you use club gourd as a zucchini?
It can be used just as a zucchini too — stuffed, baked, pickled, stir fried, and is delicious in all manner of curries and vegetarian dishes.
