Bitter melons might resemble cucumbers and could also be known as melons, however they’re neither. Definitely, these lengthy inexperienced fruits are bitter. Regardless of that, one chunk quickly results in one other: I discover myself chewing a bit of salted bitter melon and considering, “Gosh, that is bitter!” earlier than swallowing and reaching for extra.  When you’ve got South, Southeast, or East Asian heritage, this is not going to shock you. Bitter melon, additionally known as bitter gourd in English and recognized by dozens of widespread names worldwide, might be native to what’s now Malaysia and is a valued purposeful meals in meals and drugs homologies like Conventional Chinese language Drugs and Ayurveda.

For many eaters within the US, this fruit-as-vegetable could be sourced at Chinese language, Japanese, and Indian groceries and at some farmers’ markets. However if in case you have a trellis or a fence to help them, skip the carbon footprint and develop these intriguing and wholesome fruits at residence.

Pictures by Marie Viljoen.

Completely different species of bitter melon develop in tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa. Within the Southeastern states of the US, the vines have escaped cultivation and develop into invasive. The generally eaten species, whether or not smoother or knobbly, is Momordia charantia, botanically; its cucumber-like fruit is eaten unripe and tender, as a inexperienced vegetable.

Warty-skinned fruits with tapered ends are sometimes called Indian bitter melon, and in Japan they’re referred to as goya—they’re barely much less juicy, however arguably extra flavorful than their smoother, longer Chinese language counterpart.

As a meals, bitter melon is used extensively and valued exactly for its bitterness, which is a cornerstone taste in Asian cuisines. It’s related to a bunch of conventional dishes in several meals cultures. The de-seeded gourds could also be added to soup, filled with greens or meats, simmered and stewed, sliced and sautéed, soaked and pickled, curried and roasted; or they might be cooked entire if nonetheless tiny.