Bitter melon is a favorite in Asian and Southeast Asian cooking. It can be stuffed with pork or shrimp and steamed or pickled or curried and served with meat or in soup.
Bitter melons are—as their name suggests–a bitter and mouth-puckering acquired taste—something like the acquired taste of a grapefruit or very dark chocolate.
Important Growing Tip: Bitter Gourds like warmer temperatures. Plant only in late spring or early summer when risk of frost is well past. Bitter gourd seeds require temperatures of 65 F (18 C) to germinate, but for best results wait until it is consistently warmer than that before direct sowing outdoors.
Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. In warm areas, sow seeds in late spring/summer after last frost in a sunny location. For better germination, sprout seeds indoors by soaking in water for 24 hours. Wrap in wet paper towel and keep warm between 75-85°F. Plant when seeds sprout. Keep soil moist. Fertilize as needed. Train to climb a vertical support for better air circulation and ease of harvest. Low soil temperatures may result in low or no germination. Young fruit is delicious in soups and salads. Can be lightly fried, stuffed with meat or stir-fried with pork and fermented black beans. Young shoots and leaves are also edible and can be quick fried. Recommended as a healthy food by the American Diabetic Association.
Also known as African cucumber, alligator pear, amargoso, ampalaya, balsam pear, bitter cucumber, bitter gourd, bitter melon, daun peria katak, dau peria, foo gwa yip, fu gua, fu kwa, fwa kwa, jin li zhi, karawila, karela, kaveli, kho qua, ku gua, la kho qua, lao pu tao, maha, mara, muop dang, niga uri, palia, pare, pare pahit, paria, peria, peria katak, phakha, reishi, ssunoi, tsuru reishi.
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GourdBitter Gourd (Momordica charantia)Also known as:African cucumber, alligator pear, balsam pear, bitter cucumber, bitter gourd, bitter melon.Ove...
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