Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Trichosanthes dioica - Potol

Potol ( in Bengali ), or parwal ( in Hindi ), or parol ( in Nepali ) is Trichosanthes dioica, is a gourd widely cultivated in eastern part of India, Nepal and even Bangladesh.  

Pointed gourd is a vine plant of the Cucurbitaceae family.  It is perennial, dioecious, with heart-shaped leaves.  The gourds are green or with white or no stripes.   Size can vary from 6 to 10 inches. 
  


The pointed gourd in recently brought into Malaysia by Bangladeshi and Nepali foreign workers.  Today, it found its way into local markets and night markets as well, yet the locals have yet to acquire the taste for it.  It is used as ingredients of soup, stew, curry, sweet or stir-fried.


It is a good source of carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin C, and other major nutrients and trace elements.

No comments: