Japanese Bitter Gourd SEED, Long (Asian vegetable) Bitter Melon

 Harvested young at 10-13".Oriental type Bitter-gourd, open pollinated !

ABOUT GOURD,  
Gourds have as many uses as they do shapes, colors and textures. Bitter Melons are particularly good stuffed with meat, seafood or beans, as are hairy melons, especially when stuffed with pork and baked. Bottle and Calabash Gourds are excellent in meat soups or stir-fries. Young Luffas can be prepared just like zucchini. And while used in a variety of Asian dishes, the Winter Melon is the key ingredient for the famous winter melon soup, popular at Chinese banquets. The soup is cooked in the melon itself, and chunks of melon flesh are scooped out and served with the soup. Gourds used for eating and cooking should be harvested young, as they tend to grow bitter the longer they are left on the vine.
Japanese Bitter Gourd Long
This Japanese variety bitter gourd has green heavily warted skin and best flavor when harvested young at 10-13". The fruits are crisp and tender. The climbing vine can reach 12' and has yellow flowers. Bitter gourd prefers a warm climate and some humidity. Bitter gourd is also called bitter melon, karalla and balsam pear.
Warm season annual
Maturity: Approx. 60-70 days
Planting season: Late spring to early summer.
Culinary tips: Young fruit is delicious in soups, stuffed and in stir-fries especially with pork and black beans. Young shoots and leaves are also edible. Recommended as a healthy food by the American Diabetic Association.
Cultivation: Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. In warm areas, sow seeds in spring/summer after last frost in a sunny location. For better germination, pre-sprout seeds indoors by soaking in water for 24 hours. Wrap in wet paper towel and keep warm. 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.

Materials: pies instead of pumpkins,garden,heirloom,Squash,Winter,Edible bottle gourd,Asian vegetable