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Pointed Gourd Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to pointed gourds
The pointed gourd, whose scientific name is Trichosanthes Dioica, is part of a vine plant and is similar to squash and cucumber. This plant is a perennial, which differentiates it from those that grow cucumbers and squash. It has both male and female parts and grows on a trellis, featuring heart-shaped leaves. The fruits from the plant are green and may have white stripes or solid-colored skin.
The size of pointed gourds varies from 2 to 6 inches in length, while the shape varies from round to elongated. During the winter season, the plant is dormant. It grows best in sandy loam with good drainage, as it can become waterlogged. The pointed gourd is native to India and is grown particularly in eastern India and some parts of northern India. It's heavily cultivated in the states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
About pointed gourds
The pointed gourd is often called potol in the Indian state of West Bengal and the country of Bangladesh, where people speak Bengali. In other parts of India, it's often known as green potato or parval. Throughout the summer months, locals use this vegetable heavily in various recipes, including soups, curries, and stews. It can also be eaten fried or served with meat, fish, or roe stuffing. A popular dish is parval kalonji, which features the gourd stuffed with a wide variety of Indian spices and fried.
Pointed gourds are excellent sources of vital minerals and vitamins, so they provide several health benefits. It is a good source of vitamins C and A, as well as trace elements that the body needs in small quantities. The caloric content of a pointed gourd is low, making it a nutritious vegetable to add to your diet.
Some believe it offers various health benefits, including improved digestion and weight loss. Since pointed gourds are high in fiber, they help move the food through the body. Medical professionals in various regions of India often recommend the consumption of the pointed gourd to treat digestion-related issues.
If you want to try using this popular vegetable in your favorite dishes, use Instacart to simplify the shopping experience. You can place an order and have the items delivered right to your door in as little as 2 hours!
How to pick out pointed gourds
When picking out pointed gourds, it's helpful to know the ideal growing season for this plant. The plant goes dormant in the winter, so the vegetable is not available during the colder seasons. In the areas where the plant grows, the vines will often start to root in February, and the fruit will begin to sprout within about 120 to 140 days. It will continue to grow fruit until September. Within two to three weeks of pollination, the pointed gourd is ready to harvest. It's best to use pointed gourds in dishes between July and October, as this is when they are the ripest.
How to tell if the pointed gourd is ripe
The pointed gourd is not suitable for eating until it's fully ripe, so it's important only to use and consume gourds that have been properly pollinated and have undergone the ripening process on the vine. Before the fruit fully ripens, it will have a light fuzz across its surface. When the fuzz is present, the gourd is not ready for harvesting. However, when a gourd remains on the vine after it has fully ripened, it can get over-ripened, which can cause the seeds to harden and the flesh to taste bad.
When looking for ripe pointed gourds, look for vegetables with firmer skin and a brighter green color. As they overripen, they tend to turn yellowish on the outside and have loose skin.
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FAQs about pointed gourds
Yes! The pointed gourd has many health benefits. According to Ayurvedic medicine, a holistic healing system practiced in many regions of India, the pointed gourd helps regulate and purify the blood. Those who practice this medicinal system believe that consumption of the gourd's flesh can clean the blood and tissues, purify the skin, and remove impurities from the bloodstream. It's also nutrient-rich and low in carbohydrates, making the gourd an excellent addition to many dishes.
No, you should not eat the pointed gourd flesh without cooking it. This vegetable has toxins in its raw form, which can impact your health. You can dice and saute or stir-fry pointed gourd in your favorite dishes, as it pairs well with other vegetables and meats. People in India also stuff pointed gourds with other ingredients and roast them to bring out the flavors. You might try shredding the flesh and adding it to recipes that call for shredded cucumber or zucchini for an interesting spin on various dishes.
Since the pointed gourd is mainly grown in India and Bangladesh, it's typically sold at Indian and Asian grocery stores and supermarkets that offer fresh produce.