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

Name: Kartoli / कर्टोली / Spine Gourd / Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd.
Brand: OOO Farms
Availability: InStock

Local Name: Kartoli / कर्टोली

Common Name: Spine Gourd

Botanical Name: Momordica dioica

Status & Habitat

Can be Eaten Raw: Yes (although not typically eaten raw due to its bitterness)Yes

As Medicine: - Meetha Karela or Kartoli fruit protects the liver, is a diuretic, laxative, anti-inflammatory, antivenomous, antidiabetic and antidepressant
- Leaves work against worms, is 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 antidiabetic effects
- The gelatinous tuber of the Spine Gourd is spermicidal, antifertility and acts as an abortion inducing agent.
Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Yes

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 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: Fruit shows neuroprotective activities; plant can help with hypertension and obesity.

Tribal Recipe: 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.