Coccinia grandis, also called tindora' (tindori, tindoori), ghiloda, kundri, kundru, kowai, kovai, kovakkai, dondakaya, manoli, tindla, gentleman's toes (compare lady's fingers), tendli, thendli, thainli , ivy gourd or little gourd, is a tropical vine grown for its small edible fruits. They may be eaten immature and green, or mature and deep red. The young shoots and leaves may also be eaten as greens.
Older botanical sources may call this plant C. cordifolia.
The fruit is commonly eaten in Indian cuisine. Natives of Thailand, Indonesia, and other southeast Asian countries also consume the fruit and leaves. Cultivation of ivy gourd in home gardens has been encouraged in Thailand due to its being a good source of several micronutrients, including vitamins A and C.
In Andhra Pradesh, south India, Telugu speakers refer to this vegetable as dondakaya. In Tamil Nadu, south India, Tamil speakers refer to it as kovakkai. In Kerala it is known as kovakka. It is eaten as a curry, by deep-frying it; stuffing it with masala and sauteing it ; or boiling it first in a cooker and then frying it. It is also used in sambaar, a vegetable- and lentil-based soup.
In India, ivy gourd is often recommended to diabetics due to its low glycemic index and its possible ability to help regular blood glucose.
In Hawai'i and the southern United States, among other regions, ivy gourd is considered an invasive plant.
Ivy gourd is rich in beta-carotene.
Coccinia grandis or tindora
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Monday, June 2, 2008
Coccinia grandis or tindora
