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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Tindora fruits are small in size, averaging 6-9 centimeters in length, and are ovoid to ellipsoid in shape, connected to slender climbing vines and broad, wide, five-lobed leaves. The skin is smooth with variegations and light striping of pale green, dark green, and white hues. Underneath the surface, the translucent white flesh is aqueous and crisp, encasing many seeds in a slippery, pale red coating. Tindora fruits are juicy and crunchy when young with a mild, slightly bitter aftertaste. As the fruit matures, it develops a soft and a sweeter quality, and depending on variety, the skin can also change to bright red.
Seasons/Availability
Tindora are available year-round.
Current Facts
Tindora, botanically classified as Coccinia grandis, is a vigorous, tropical climbing vine that can grow up to ten centimeters per day and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Found growing in the wild and cultivated for its edible shoots and fruits, Tindora has several other common vernacular names that vary by region including Dondakaya, Scarlet gourd, Ivy gourd, Kovakka, Tendli, and Tondi. Though Tindora is a favored ingredient in Indian cooking, it is also considered an aggressive invasive species in other parts of the world as it grows dense foliage smothering other plants. Tindora is favored for its crunchy texture and is utilized in heavily spiced dishes to add a cooling, mild flavor.
Nutritional Value
Tindora is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B, and beta-carotene. It is also known for its toxin eliminating properties and can help clean the bloodstream.
Applications
Tindora can be eaten raw as a salad vegetable, though its bitter flavor can be strong so the addition of vinegar and sugar can reduce or remove any bitter aftertaste the fruit may impart. The fruit is more popularly cooked and added to curries, stir-fries, and used as the main ingredient in Indian pickles and chutneys. They can also be coated in spices and roasted as a crunchy side dish. In India, Tindora is commonly utilized in urad dal, which is Tindora soaked in warm water cooked with lentils, Tindora Payla, which is Tindora mixed with spices and dried, roasted lentils, or slow-cooked in coconut milk as a savory curry. In Southeast Asia, the leaves, shoots, and stems are used as potherbs in soups or served in rice dishes. 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 coriander, light-bodied vinegar, and aromatics such as cumin and cilantro. The fruits are perishable and will keep up to one week when stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In India, Tindora is used in Ayurvedic medicine as a way to reduce inflammation and as a treatment to help regulate sugars in the body, especially for diabetic patients. It is also used to maintain the health of endocrine glands for overall well-being. In addition to the fruits, the leaves are made into a paste and applied topically to help heal skin wounds caused by leprosy, psoriasis, and scabies. Tindora is also a popular home garden plant in Southern India for culinary and medicinal uses and is grown along walls and fences.
Geography/History
Tindora plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. The vine was then quickly dispersed by both animals and humans across Asia, and since its first cultivation, Tindora has been introduced as a food crop in Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, the Southern United States, including Hawaii. Today Tindora can be found growing in the wild and at local markets in India, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Guam, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Australia, and the United States.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Tindora. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Sailu's Kitchen |
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Dondakaya Vepudu - Tindora Stir Fry |
| Spice up the Curry |
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Tindora Aloo Masala |
| Monsoon Spice |
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Spicy and Crispy Tindora Roast |
| Madhura's Recipes |
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Tindora Fry |
Recently Shared
People have shared Tindora using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Oviedo Farmers Market
Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 45 days ago, 9/07/19 Apopka Market at Tractor Supply Near Apopka, Florida, United States About 66 days ago, 8/17/19 
Mithapheap
Mithapheap Oriental Food Market
Near Alameda, California, United States1400 14th Ave Oakland CA 94606 510-436-3826 www.thaifoodandtravel.com About 78 days ago, 8/04/19 
Bharat Bazaar
Near Union City, California, United StatesAbout 79 days ago, 8/03/19 Apopka Market at Tractor Supply Near Apopka, Florida, United States About 94 days ago, 7/20/19 
My Market
My Market - E La Palma Ave
Near Yorba Linda, California, United States5755 E La Palma Blvd Anaheim CA 92807 714-779-7000 About 114 days ago, 6/29/19 
Wholesome Choice Market
Wholesome Choice Market - Culver Dr.
Near Irvine-Mesa, California, United States18040 Culver Drive Irvine CA 92612 949-551-4111 About 122 days ago, 6/21/19 Sharer's comments : Very nice and unique. Apopka Market at Tractor Supply Near Apopka, Florida, United States About 129 days ago, 6/15/19 Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 143 days ago, 6/01/19 lake County farmers market Near Forest City, Florida, United States About 166 days ago, 5/09/19 
Namaste Plaza Indian Supermarket
Near Poway, California, United StatesAbout 216 days ago, 3/19/19 Sharer's comments : Tindora spotted at Namaste Plaza Indian Supermarket. 
Akshar Cash 'n' Carry
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 255 days ago, 2/08/19 Sharer's comments : Fresh! Leks produce Market at the Oldsmar Florida Flea Ma Near Safety Harbor, Florida, United States About 260 days ago, 2/04/19 Sharer's comments : Tindora spotted at Leks produce Market at the Oldsmar Florida Flea Market. Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 374 days ago, 10/13/18 HEB grocery Sugar Land TX Near Stafford, Texas, United States About 397 days ago, 9/19/18 Sharer's comments : Tindora spotted at HEB grocery Sugar Land TX. Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 409 days ago, 9/08/18 Sanford farmers market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 451 days ago, 7/28/18 Sanford farmers market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 458 days ago, 7/21/18 Sanford farmers market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 472 days ago, 7/07/18 Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 486 days ago, 6/23/18 Sanford farmers market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 500 days ago, 6/09/18 Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 507 days ago, 6/02/18 Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 514 days ago, 5/26/18 Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 521 days ago, 5/19/18 Sweetwater Wekiva Farmers Market Near Wekiva Springs, Florida, United States About 526 days ago, 5/13/18 Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 535 days ago, 5/05/18 |
