![]() ![]() There are also ornamental uses for snake gourd, mostly the mature, red fruits used for a rustic decor when dried. In Africa, the mature fruit’s red pulp is used as a substitute for a tomato, so locals often refer to this vegetable as the snake tomato. It is also used in cooking, where its mild, cucumber-like flavor pairs well with dishes such as soups, curries, and even stir-fry. Snake gourd is a staple vegetable in Chinese and Indian Traditional medicine, especially in Ayurveda, an ancient holistic healing system. The snake gourd flower has long, curling ‘hairs’ at the edge of the petals, and it closes during the day, only to unfurl its petals in the evening. This vining plant can grow up to 6.5 feet long (2 meters), producing large, lobed leaves and showy, fragrant white flowers. Snake gourd is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, but it also grows in Australia, western Africa, and Latin America. However, serpent gourd is typically picked before it ripens, when the fruit is firm but not hard, without seeds, and when the flesh has a mild taste. ![]() As the fruit matures, its skin hardens develops an intense red color, and the flesh usually acquires a gelatinous consistency. Its iconic fruit gives this plant’s name: long, slender gourds, sometimes curved or even twisted in spirals, which resemble serpents hanging from the vine. You will also find it listed under common names such as padwal or chichinda, especially in India. 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. – How to grow snake gourd in a small place. ![]()
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