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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

TINDA (Indian Round Gourd)

Common Name: Tinda
Vernacular Names: Indian round gourd, Indian baby pumpkin.
Botanical Name: Praecitrullus fistulosus
Specimens From: India
Specimens Weight: 90 gm [3.2 oz] (average wgt per fruit)


Tinda, commonly known by its Punjabi name, is native to India and it is popular in the surrounding countries near India in South Asia but virtually unknown elsewhere.

Tinda is firm and round with a slightly flattened shape. Size is usually smaller than a green apple. It is green ranging from pale to dark green. As in most gourds, there are numerous flattened seeds but it is edible.

So how does it tastes like? No, this fruit is not consumed raw. Tinda is always used, when in its unripe stage, as a cooking vegetable. It goes well with several Indian and Pakistani cuisines. It is also great for pickles. On its own, it tastes bland and slightly sourish but with all the spices and curries thrown in, it tastes great.

Take note that this is "tinda" and it is NOT "tindli". Both have similar sounding name from different regions or languages which add to the confusion but it is an entirely different fruit.


Tinda; Indian round gourd; Indian baby pumpkin; Praecitrullus fistulosus; Cucurbitaceae.


View other fruits in the same family: Curcurbitaceae [Gourd Family]


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17 comments:

cathy said...

Very interesting. I've never heard of nor seen this gourd.

ruthinian said...

I agree very interesting. I have not seen like it before. Is it more of a veggie or a fruit?

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

What a cute gourd. I would love to try tinda as a pickle. Love pickles and am glad my mom still cans. :D

Great post and photos, Fruity!!! You always surprise me and I love surprises.

Hugs, JJ

Mom Knows Everything said...

Whenever I think of gourd I think of pumpkins and squash. It's nice to learn about different kinds of gourds.

Anonymous said...

Another unfamiliar fruit...thanks for sharing!

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

I just love how you talk about these delicious and unique fruits. I love stopping by an dlearn so much!

Anonymous said...

oooh it just occurred to me that you would be FUNFUN to have as s thursday food guest post (skim todays to see what I mean and email me if you think youd wanna!)

Miz.

Karin W. said...

Tinda fruit (or shall we call it vegetable) must be an uncommon fruit. Reminds me of green tomatoes which can't be eaten raw either. They are too tart, sour, and hard. The best thing to do is to pickle them.

Anonymous said...

Never heard of it, but is look and sounds nice, fruity, sweet and very healthy - very interesting read as always.

myonlyphoto said...

Cool fruit, just in time for Halloween. Thanks for sharing, Anna :)

Unknown said...

The Tinda, also called Indian round gourd or apple gourd or Indian Baby Pumpkin, is a squash like cucurbit grown for its immature fruit, a vegetable especially popular in South Asia. The plant is, as with all cucurbits, a prolific vine, and is grown as an annual. The seeds may also be roasted and eaten. Tinda in Punjabi or most North Indian Languages is Indian Baby Pumpkin.
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Anonymous said...

Enjoy the weekend!

Unknown said...

Tinda used to cooking purpose. Tinda is very tasty. Prepared for pickle.


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Blaze Infotech

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Very lovely ,good for pickles, good for health, good qualities attract me . elegant !!!

suman
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Gopal Deshmukh said...

Gopal deshmukh
plese give information about easy harvesting & seed extraction method on gopalrdeshmukh@gmail.com

Gopal Deshmukh said...

plese give me information about Tinda harvesting & seed extraction