Tindora

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Current Facts

Tindora, botanical name Coccinia grandis, is a tropical climbing vine that is both cultivated and found growing wild. It is cultivated for its edible shoots and fruits, but it is also considered an extremely evasive vine as it escapes cultivation easily and spreads vigorously, creating harmful environmental and vegetation effects. It has several other common vernacular names, specifically tindori, scarlet gourd and ivy gourd.

Description/Taste

The fruit of the tindora vine are similar in appearance to an Indian gherkin. Tindora's fruits are ovoid to ellipsoid in shape and so small they are often referred to as a "berry". They range in size from 1" to 2 1/2" in length. Their skin is smooth with variegations of green and white. The translucent white flesh of the fruit resembles the appearance and flavor of a cucumber, bearing countless seeds that develop a red hue. The flesh is both crunchy and succulent in texture with a mildly bitter aftertaste. Mature fruits become soft and develop a sweeter quality. Depending on variety, a mature tindora fruit's skin color can also become bright red. These varieties are commonly referred to as "Big Red".

Nutritional Value

Tindora is actually grown for its nutritional and medicinal benefits as well for its culinary purposes. It is a good source of several micronutrients, including Vitamin A and beta carotene. It has been shown to have hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties.

Applications

Tindora is often added to curries, stir fries and used as a main ingredient in chutneys. It can be eaten raw as a salad vegetable, however the addition of vinegar and sugar can reduce or remove any bitter aftertaste the fruit may impart. Tindora is also fermented, pickled and even candied when ripe. Tindora naturally absorbs accompanying flavors. It pairs well with ginger, garlic, chiles, stewed meats and vegetables, baked fish, coconut cream, peanuts, pickling spices such as mustard and corriander, light-bodied vinegars, and aromatics such as cumin and cilantro. The leaves, shoots and stems are used as pot herbs in soups or served in rice dishes.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Tindora is limited in culinary use primarily to Indian, Vietnamese and Thai cuisines.

Geography/History

Tindora plants are native to tropical Africa and Asia. Since their first cultivation, Tindora has been introduced as a food crop in the Far East, the Caribbean, Southern united States and the South Pacific, including Hawaii, where it is listed as a noxious weed as it will inevitably invade natural habitat; it is easily dispersed by both animals and humans, establishes easily and can grow up to four inches per day. There are several varieties of tindora but regardless of variety, they prefer tropical and subtropical climates.


Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Tindora. One is easiest, three is harder.

Sailu's Kitchen		Dondakaya Vepudu - Tindora Stir Fry
Monsoon Spice		Spicy and Crispy Tindora Roast

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