Snake gourds range from small to very large in size and are elongated, slender, curved, or straight. Snake gourds that are used for consumption have waxy green skin and are often speckled or striped with a lighter shade of green. The gourd may grow straight or in twisted curls and spirals.

Health Benefits

Snake gourds contain iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, vitamins A, B, and C, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus.

Usage

Snake gourds are best suited for cooked applications such as stir-frying, baking, stuffing, and boiling. They can be prepared and used like zucchini, sautéed and served as a side dish or added to dishes with other sautéed vegetables. They can also be added to sabzi, chopped into curries, stuffed and grilled, made into a chutney, fried, blended into soups, sliced into stir-fries, or pickled for extended use. When the gourd is mature, the seed mass within is scraped out and used like tomato paste in various Indian dishes. Snake gourds pair well with turmeric, cumin, coriander, mustard, red chiles, curry leaves, coconut, onion, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkin, lentils, tofu, poultry, pork, and beef.

Storage

They will keep for 2-3 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.