Winter Melon Seeds , ASH GOURD, Asian vegetable

Winter Melon-Benincasa hispida

Winter melon, or ash gourd, is a common ingredient in Chinese and Indian dishes.With the scientific name Benincasa hispida, it’s a member of the Cucurbitaceae or gourd family, along with cucumbers, melons and zucchini. It also goes by the names wax gourd, white gourd and winter gourd.

Why is it commonly called winter melon? It may be because the fruit can be stored for many months, so when it’s harvested during late summer and autumn months, it can be eaten three to four months later in the wintertime.

Asian vegetable names...

China:  dong gua, dong gwa, tung kwa

• India:  petha, pethakaddu
• Indonesia:  beligo, bleego, bleegoo, bligo, koondoor, tangkue
• Japan:  kamo uri, togan
• Korea:  ho bak
• Malaysia:  kundur
• Philippines:  kondol, kundol
• Sri Lanka:  alu-puhul
• Thailand:  fak khiao, fak kib, phat
• Vietnam:  bi bee, bi chanh

Wax gourd, also known as winter melon, has a white, chalky wax that protects it from microorganisms and allows it to last up to a year without refrigeration. It can be used in a variety of dishes from curries to soups to candies.
More Details
Wax Gourd, also known as White Gourd, is a large, long-season vegetable that can grow up to 50 pounds on vines. It can be stored for months and used in the winter season, earning it the name "Winter Melon" in Chinese.
This vigorous, prolific variety produces up to 16 fruits per plant. Green skinned fruit are fragrant and flavorful with a firm flesh growing to a size of 4"x 7" and weighing up to 1.5 pounds.

How to Grow Round Winter Melon Wax Gourd

The winter melon has a long growing season. They should be started indoors and transplanted after the soil has warmed up to 60 degrees. Before planting soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to soften the hard seed coat. It's best to choose a warm sunny location for this melon to grow. This plant grows best on the ground, not on a trellis. It will spread over a large area, leave about 4 feet around each plant. Water consistently, and ensure it has full sun.

Harvesting Round Winter Melon Wax Gourd

Wait to harvest until the plant is fully mature. They will reach their full size, the stem of the plant will turn brown, and the leaves will turn yellow. Often the fruit will have a white powder that coats the entire fruit.

Culinary Tips

This fruit is called the winter melon not because it grows in the winter, but because it can be stored over the winter. It will keep fresh for a long time. Store the fruit in a dry cool place. It is best served cooked, and is delicious in soups, stews, pastry filling, and jams. Cut the gourd open, peel it, scrape out the seeds and cut the flesh into cubes for use in a variety of recipes.