Kartoli / कर्टोली / Spine Gourd / Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd.

Meetha Karela or Kartoli fruit is anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic. Fresh and cooked versions of the fruit are highly recommended for hypertension and diabetes.

A paste of the juice of the leaves with coconut, pepper and a few other ingredients is applied to the forehead to relieve pain. The root juice has astringent, antiseptic and antidiabetic effects. Leaf paste can be used for skin diseases, tender fruits are rubbed on skin for pimples and acne and roasted seeds are used for eczema.

Other Names

Local Name: Kartoli / कर्टोली
Common Name: Spine Gourd
Botanical Name: Momordica dioica

Status & Habitat

Habitat: Climber
Occurrence: Monsoon
Season of Availability: July-December
Geography: Indian & Bangladesh
Method of Propagation: Fruits are boiled and cooked as a vegetable
Part used for Propagation: Underground Tubers

Edible Parts

Edible Parts: Tender fruits, Leaves, Shoots, Root Juice as Tonic
Can be Eaten Raw: Yes (although not typically eaten raw due to its bitterness)Yes

Method of Consumption

Raw: Yes
Ripe: No
Both Raw & Ripe: N/A
Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A
As Food: Fresh and Cooked versions of the Kartoli fruit are eaten
As Medicine: - Meetha Karela or Kartoli fruit protects the liver and is a diuretic, laxative, anti-inflammatory, antivenomous, antidiabetic and antidepressant
- Leaves work against worms, are an aphrodisiac, antihemorroidal and analgesic.
- Fresh and cooked versions of the fruit are highly recommended for hypertension and diabetes.
- The root juice has astringent, antiseptic and anti-diabetic effects
- The gelatinous tuber of the Spine Gourd is spermicidal, antifertility and acts as an abortion-inducing agent.
Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Yes
Boiling Before Cooking: Not required
Pickling: No
Brining: No
Fermenting: No
Drying for later Consumption: No
Overall Method: Fruit cooked into curries; seeds are used to make seed oil; tender shoots and leaves cooked as greens; tuberous roots cooked as vegetables.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

Nutritional Benefit: Anti-oxidant, anti-allergic and anti-bacterial properties.
Medicinal Benefit: - A paste of the juice of the leaves with coconut, pepper, red sandalwood, and a few other things is applied to the forehead to relieve pain.
- The root paste, when applied all over body during fever, acts as a sedative.
- Leaf paste can be used for skin diseases, tender fruits are rubbed on skin for pimples and acne and roasted seeds are used for eczema.

Tribal Wisdom

Tribal Wisdom: Fruit shows neuroprotective activities; plants can help with hypertension and obesity.

Recipes / Usage

Tribal Recipe / Usage: Cooking Time: 30 min Serves: 2 Cuisine: Tribal

INGREDIENTS:
250 gms Raw Tender Kartoli Fruit, Washed, Cleaned & Chopped in round slices & Deseed it
2 Green Chillies, Chopped Finely
6 Pods of Garlic, Chopped Finely
1 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tsp Cumin Seeds
1 Tsp Mustard Seeds
2-3 Tsp Kokum / Lemon Juice
2 Tsp Cooking Oil
Salt to Taste

METHOD:
Heat Oil in a Pan and Temper Cumin Seeds, Mustard Seeds, Garlic, and Green Chillies.
Add Turmeric powder and Cook
Add Chopped Deseeded Kartoli,
Steam Cook for 5-8 mins.
Add Kokum / Lemon Juice
Serve with Rotis / Rice.

Image Gallery

Kartoli / कर्टोली / Spine Gourd / Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd.