Bitter Gourd is one of my favourite veggie. I love it when braised with chicken or meat. Sometimes I use it for omelette, and it is delicious when stuffed with fish paste and deep-fried. There are lots of other ways of using Bitter Gourd, like in soups, stir-fries and it can also be juiced, for it's health benefits. You may read all about the benefits of bitter gourd, there are tons of information from the internet.
Several months ago, when I bought a Bitter Gourd from the market, I simply sowed some seeds into a container at my back yard, and in a matter of days, the seeds have sprouted into small seedlings. From there, it took about almost 2 months for the plant to flower. I pollinated the female flowers myself, since there are no bees around, and just a small number of ants.
After harvesting a few of these melons,the plant is now showing signs of "I'm done!" Got to start over, but have not make up my mind whether to grow bitter gourd again or some other vine veggies that are just waiting in queue. Times like this, I wish for a big gardening area!
Happy Gardening!
Hi Joyce! Wow, wow, wow! That's a good sized bittergourd. I love bittergourd too, especially fried with eggs. I had a pumpkin plant growing out of my compost but my cousin told me to forget about it because it would take over the garden. Anyway looking at your bittergourd, I guess I would need something for it to climb and I really don't have space for that. I too wish that I have a big gardening area but as it is, my small garden is already in a mess hah..hah...
ReplyDeleteI really love bittergourd. Stir fried with anchovies, hmmm... so delicious!
ReplyDeleteI've never eaten it yet. I've seen seeds in Poland, but I didn't know if it's tasty, now I know :) I'll grow it next season.
ReplyDeleteRegards!
healthy looking bitter gourd or peria .... yea, we always hope for bigger garden, but then the limiting factor would be time if done alone...
ReplyDeletecantiknya your peria!!
ReplyDeletewow! the bittergourds are so impressive! I planted them but didnt get as fat...skinny little thing! looking forward to see the rest of your garden!
ReplyDeleteAnything that is bitter should be good for health. However heard from mango who said on elderly physician commented bitter gourd fried with egg is *leong* 'cold' for the body so must not eat too much.
ReplyDeleteIn the Philippines I have eaten this stuffed with a kind of spicy ground pork mixture. Wow, so good. Well done for growing it :-)
ReplyDeleteYummy dishes! Good long peria! I like to fry them! ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful sight to behold. I want to eat that bitter gourd. Love this vege a lot both in soup and as omelette. Joyce, I have so little space to garden, if my garden, I think will plant another type of vege. An I always think that it is more interesting to grow a new plant ;-) Will keep fingers crossed too for you for the book :-D
ReplyDeleteInterestingg read
ReplyDeleteThanks great bllog
ReplyDelete