this is a wonderfull and unique vegetable that has numerous maditional remedies.
cooked right, it has a wonderfull taste (needs to be experemented to appreciate).
read up the bennifits of this veg and give it a try.
here is my reciepe for cooking this
http://www.jansewingsolutions.com/cooking-bitter-gourd-p-2193.html?osCsid=kdflhr2lr6r4bur7n25jen7qq1
cooked right, it has a wonderfull taste (needs to be experemented to appreciate).
read up the bennifits of this veg and give it a try.
Bitter Melon - Health Benefits and Nutritional Value
The scientific name of Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon is ‘Momordica Charantia’. It is a tropical vine and the fruits, leaves and extracts of this plant are used as medicine. It is also known as Balsam Pear. It is the most bitter of all vegetables. The Indian names of this vegetable are Karela, Pavakkai and Kakkarakai. Bitter Melon is very helpful in regulating the Blood Sugar Levels and as a Diabetic Cure. It is also used to treat hypertension, eye complications, neuritis and defective metabolism of carbohydrates. It is also said to increase the body's resistance against infection. Bitter gourd is proven effective in treating blood disorders like blood boils, itching, scabies, psoriasis, ring-worm and other fungal diseases. Bitter melon aids digestion and can be used by those with digestive disorders and constipation.
Bitter melon comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is widely grown in South and SouthEast Asia, Africa, China and the Caribbean. Bitter Melons are available fresh from April to September in most Asian markets. Bitter gourd has several essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorous, copper and potassium. Bitter guard is widely used in Ayurveda and considered and excellent remedy for Kapha problems. It helps purify blood tissue, enhances digestion and stimulates the liver. Due to their numerous medicinal properties bitter melon are also sold as juices and extracts in the market.
Though it has a bitter taste it is widely used in Cooking especially Indian. Young bitter gourds which do not have hard seeds are the best for cooking. If the seeds are not tender they are mostly removed before cooking. This Vegetable is normally not mixed with other vegetables because of its bitter taste. However the bitterness of this Vegetable can be reduced to some extent by putting the cut pieces in boiled water with salt for 5 minutes. Another way is by exposing the salted bitter melon pieces to sunlight for a few hours and then squeezes the pieces by hand to remove excess salt and bitterness. If necessary this pieces can be rinsed before using for cooking. Then it's rinsed with water a few times. I am not aware of the scientific reason behind this but have heard old people telling that Pregnant Woman, Nursing mothers and Nursing Mothers should not to eat bitter guards. Some studies on Bitter Melon have shown favorable results in treating Malaria, Cancer and HIV infection etc but the Research is still on.
Bitter melon comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is widely grown in South and SouthEast Asia, Africa, China and the Caribbean. Bitter Melons are available fresh from April to September in most Asian markets. Bitter gourd has several essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorous, copper and potassium. Bitter guard is widely used in Ayurveda and considered and excellent remedy for Kapha problems. It helps purify blood tissue, enhances digestion and stimulates the liver. Due to their numerous medicinal properties bitter melon are also sold as juices and extracts in the market.
Though it has a bitter taste it is widely used in Cooking especially Indian. Young bitter gourds which do not have hard seeds are the best for cooking. If the seeds are not tender they are mostly removed before cooking. This Vegetable is normally not mixed with other vegetables because of its bitter taste. However the bitterness of this Vegetable can be reduced to some extent by putting the cut pieces in boiled water with salt for 5 minutes. Another way is by exposing the salted bitter melon pieces to sunlight for a few hours and then squeezes the pieces by hand to remove excess salt and bitterness. If necessary this pieces can be rinsed before using for cooking. Then it's rinsed with water a few times. I am not aware of the scientific reason behind this but have heard old people telling that Pregnant Woman, Nursing mothers and Nursing Mothers should not to eat bitter guards. Some studies on Bitter Melon have shown favorable results in treating Malaria, Cancer and HIV infection etc but the Research is still on.
http://www.jansewingsolutions.com/cooking-bitter-gourd-p-2193.html?osCsid=kdflhr2lr6r4bur7n25jen7qq1
