funny fruit

[jrhartley]

I found it growing as a vine on my fence- apparently its a bitter gourd or bitter melon, some sources say its poisonous and some say its eaten widely in asia and its good for diabetes and piles.
Does anyone have any experience of this strange fruit

 

[La Profe_1]

Bitter melon, or ampalaya, is used in Filipino cooking. However, every ampalaya I have ever seen is green, not orange. Perhaps the one in your photograph is ripe and that is the reason for the color change.

The exterior bumpy/warty skin is very typical.

 

[jrhartley]

it may possibly be poisonous when ripe - its pretty hannging in the fence though

 

[el forastero]

Cannot remember the West Indies name for this, but do know that a bush medicine tea is made from the leaves and vines which supposedly helps against anemia.

The ripe orange fruits in the West Indies are normally about 1"-1 1/2" long, and may be the favorite food of iguanas. They go nuts for them!

 

[suarezn]

I don't remember the name for it, but we used to have it growing wild in our farm and I was always told it is poisonous so to not eat it. Now not sure if this is true or not, because when I was growing up I was also told that Watermelon (which used to grow wild in our farm as well) would give you terrible pains if you ate them, which of course I later found out to be a huge myth.

 

[2dlight]

JR: Does the fruit open on its own along the ridges and contains bright red seeds?

 

[jrhartley]

it does and it just has

 

[2dlight]

In the campo we called it cundeamor, don't know if it's spelled right or the real name for it. I used to eat the seeds, they are sweet and birds like them too. Never had any adverse effects from the experience.

 

[2dlight]

JR: Balsam apple, cundeamor, Momordica balsamina, considered to be an invasive pest by many.

 

[Hlywud]

some info here

botanical.com - A Modern Herbal | Apple (Balsam)

In the Philippines it is called "ampalaya" by the Tagalogs. It is a popular vegetable in the island of Luzon where it is mixed with other vegetables to make a stew. It is also sauteed with either shrimp, meat, pork, chicken and served with thick gravy.

While the leaves are safe to eat, the seeds can be toxic if too many are injested. Although they do sell Balsam supplements, like all things moderation is key.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momordica_balsamina

 

[bachata]

This fruit is called "Cundiamor" in DR and it is not poisonous I used to eat it when visiting my grandmother's house in the campo "Moca" it is frequently seen growing around the fens specially en la malla.

JJ

 

[jrhartley]

I hate to think what the name means , but thanks for the information that you are still alive after eating it - Im still not sure I want to try it lol

 

[suarezn]

Yep that's what it is "Cundeamor". See there you go, I was always told when I was a kid not to eat the seeds as you could die...and it turns out it was just another myth.

 

[jrhartley]

a lot of pips and seeds have traces of cyanide in , so its not a good idea to swallow loads of them, apple and lemon do ,not sure about others

 

[snoozer]

Mi Novia said she was told by her abuela not to eat this fruit in the campo near Cotui.

 

[jrhartley]

did granny say why ? she probably also said dont stand in front of the fridge if you are hot lol

 

[snoozer]

did granny say why ? she probably also said dont stand in front of the fridge if you are hot lol

You are probably right. I just asked her and she said if a her abuela said so, then it must be true and does not require an explanation.

 

[suarezn]

Mi Novia said she was told by her abuela not to eat this fruit in the campo near Cotui.

It must be a Cotui thing then, as I grew up there too...Maybe her abuela was the one spreading these rumors :cheeky:

 

[bachata]

did granny say why ? she probably also said dont stand in front of the fridge if you are hot lol

I can remember my grandmother telling me...Muchacho no abras esa nevera que tu estas caliente y te vas a pasmar!!!

Pasmar = Espasmo muscular

JJ

 

[2dlight]

I can remember my grandmother telling me...Muchacho no abras esa nevera que tu estas caliente y te vas a pasmar!!!

Pasmar = Espasmo muscular

JJ

" No abras esa maldita nevera que tu acabas de planchar!"aranoid: