Last week’s mystery was to identify this veggie…
Well, Srivalli and Nalini guessed it right – It is Athalakkaai /Adhalakkai
This plant is related to the bitter melon / bitter gourd.
Scientific name – Momordica cymbalaria
Other names – Luffa tuberosa (Roxb.) or Momordica tuberosa (Roxb.)
Tamil – Adhalakki / Athalakaai
Kannada -Karchikai
Telugu – Kasarakayee
Hindi- Kakrol
In olden days this has been used extensively for its medicinal values.Traditionally, it is used for the treatment of diabetes, ulcer, skin diseases,diarrhoea,rheumatism,etc.
This vegetable is said to posses hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxident properties.It is also said to have cardio protective,hepato[liver] protective properties.
So if you find this vegetable in the market be sure to pick it up and cook something with it.
This can be cooked as a curry / added in gravies / stews that go with rice.I will post a recipe with this vegetable in the coming days..
Good one PJ..never knew the english or tamil name..