Kantola / spine gourd, the small spiny vegetable can easily pass as a distant relative of the bitter gourd. They look somewhat similar in appearance but there is no similarity in taste.
Kantoli- Appearance, texture, and taste.
Kantola / Spine gourd comes from the gourd family. Kantoli is small about the size of a lemon i.e. around 2-4cms in length.
It has a spiny surface.
The color is usually green, shades change to greenish yellow or yellow as it ripens. It has a distinct taste of its own.
Scientific Name:
Momordica dioica
0ther names:
Teasel gourd (English), Karkotaki (Sanskrit), Kantholi/Kartoli (Marathi), Kantola (Hindi), Bara karela ( Rajasthani, Bhat Korola/ kakrol (Bengali)
Availability:
Kantoli/Spine gourd Though not a native of India is grown in many different parts of India and has medicinal properties. It is mainly available during the late summers to monsoons.
Purchasing and storing:
Preferably buy green but even the greenish yellow ones can be used.
They can easily be stored in the fridge for over a week.
How to clean a Kantola?
- Wash the surface clean.
- Remove the stem.
- Cut into slices, pieces or rings.
Nutrition facts:
Kantola has carbohydrates, proteins, fat, fiber and nutrients like vitamin c, some B vitamins, phytonutrients, flavonoids, and antioxidants.
Culinary Uses:
Though there are many dishes one can make using kantola. Some of the dishes known to me include:
- Pakodas
- Stuffed spine gourd
- Gravy
- Dry vegetable.
Also, read about the other lesser known vegetables which are locally grown on the blog – Phodshi, Takla, Ramkand, Dragon Stalk yam, and Carambola.
References:
- http://www.kiran.nic.in/pdf/Agri-Kaleidoscope/Horticulture-resources/SPINE%20GOURD.pdf
- https://www.ishs.org/ishs-article/752_82
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282438692_Spine_gourd_Momordica_dioica_An_underutilized_vegetable_with_high_nutritional_and_medicinal_values
- http://www.ijpab.com/form/2017%20Volume%205,%20issue%204/IJPAB-2017-5-4-1440-1443.pdf






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Thank You for your information.
Im from chennai. Wher can i get this from ?
Though the season for this vegetable is almost at an end.
You can try the local vegetable market or any pazhamudir shop for the same.