Wax gourd
Wax gourd, also known as winter melon, white gourd, or ash gourd, is a vine grown for its very large fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature. It is the only member of the genus Benincasa. The fruit is covered in a fuzzy coating of fine hairs when young. The immature melon has thick white flesh that is sweet when eaten. By maturity, the fruit loses its hairs and develops a waxy coating, giving rise to the name wax gourd, and providing a long shelf life. The melon may grow as large as 80 cm in length.
Cultivation and uses[edit]
Wax gourd is grown in South Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, Japan, Russia, and parts of Africa. It is commonly used in Asian cuisine, and is a common ingredient in soups, stews, and stir-fries. In Ayurveda, the wax gourd is known as Kushmanda, and is used in various treatments for disorders like epilepsy, asthma, lung diseases, urine retention, internal hemorrhage and many others.
Nutritional value[edit]
Wax gourd is a good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin B2. It also contains significant amounts of Dietary fiber, Potassium, Zinc, and Iron, and is low in calories, making it a healthy choice for those seeking to maintain a balanced diet.
See also[edit]
| 🌱 | This Cucurbitaceae related article is a stub. |
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