Momordica - Indian cucumber

We fell on Momordica, I know that it is curative, but I don't know how to cook it, how to take it. Does anyone have a personal experience of using this miracle cucumber? Please share.

O. I tried this in Sudak, 1 UAH. a little thing, to be honest ... some kind of nonsense, there are red seeds inside, absolutely no taste. Maybe it needs to be cooked somehow correctly, I crumbled raw.

[Momordica - Indian cucumber]

Momordica - Indian cucumber
Momordica (Indian cucumber) (Momordica charantia) is an annual climbing herb of the Cucurditaceae family. It is distributed in many regions of Southeast Asia: India, Indochina, Indonesia, South China, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and New Guinea. The flowers are regular, unisexual, yellow, fragrant, the corolla is conglomerate, five-toothed. The fruit is a round oval elongated berry of bright orange color, covered with papillary protrusions on the outside. The seeds are relatively large (11-15 mm long, 8-9 mm wide), flat, rounded, with uneven lobed edges and a tuberous surface. On both flat sides of the seeds there is a peculiar pattern, and each seed has its own unique pattern, reminiscent of the Indian national ornament. The number of seeds in fruits varies greatly (from 15 to 50) depending on the size of the fruit. In the total mass, the seeds are dark brown in color. Around each seed inside the fruit is a juicy dark ruby-colored pericarp. Its taste is very pleasant, reminiscent of ripe persimmon. The taste of the fruit itself is close to the taste of a ripe pumpkin. True, the papillary surface of the fruit is slightly bitter, because of this, the overall taste takes on a bitter tint. No wonder momordica is called a bitter gourd. But this quality does not interfere with the preparation of delicious dishes from fruits.
When ripe, the fruit first acquires a spotty yellowish tint, then becomes bright orange. Fully ripe, it cracks at the bottom and unfolds into three fleshy petals. At this moment, the seeds, thanks to the slimy pericarp, fall from the fruit to the ground. Thus, the “peeled” fruit is ready to eat.
Momordica is very easy to distinguish from other plants by one feature. While it develops, all its organs (leaves, lashes, small ovaries) tend to cause itching to humans and animals (similar to a reaction after a nettle burn). As soon as the first ripe fruits appear on the plant, it ceases to cause trouble when touched. Momordica itself indicates when to harvest.

The composition of the fruit contains many useful components: proteins - 1.6%, sugar - 4.2%, fats - 0.2%, carbohydrates 1.2%, ash - 1.4%. Found in them and vitamins: C, B1, B2.

Cooking applications

The use of momordica is varied. Fleshy fruits, containing many useful components, are very good fried. To do this, fully ripe fruits are cut into small slices and fried in vegetable oil.

They are also perfect for pickling. Ripe fruits should be washed and cut into wedges. Put pieces of momordica in a sterilized jar, add garlic, dill, black currant leaf, black peppercorns. Pour the contents with the marinade (for 1 liter of water, take a tablespoon of salt, granulated sugar and 9% vinegar). The marinade is brought to a boil, the contents of the jars are poured and the lid is closed.

Canned momordica is difficult to compare to other vegetables prepared in the same way. Its taste is very pleasant and refreshing. The juicy and tender pericarp tastes like a ripe persimmon.

Application in medicine

Momordica seeds contain up to 55% essential oil, which is very rich in carotene. They are used in medicine for peptic ulcer disease, as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-febrile agent.

[Momordica - Indian cucumber]

Momordica - Indian cucumber
Momordica is very easy to distinguish from other plants by one feature. While it develops, all its organs (leaves, lashes, small ovaries) tend to cause itching to humans and animals (similar to a reaction after a nettle burn). As soon as the first ripe fruits appear on the plant, it ceases to cause trouble when touched. Momordica itself indicates when to harvest.

In this case, momordica is one of the best vegetables to grow in the country. And there is no need to be afraid for her - who can sniff her if she has such diplomatic immunity?