Melotria rough belongs to the category of perennial and annual plants at the same time. According to the botanical classification, it passes through the gourd group. The historical habitat of the plant is usually called Africa, North America.
The appearance of greenery sometimes evokes thoughts of similarity with creepers, and the fruits are similar to cucumbers with a watermelon color. Because of this, African cucumber and Mexican gherkin have become unofficial names for the representative of the flora.
Multifunctional assistant
The North American gift of the garden tastes very spicy due to the slight sourness that “hides” in the skin. Some national dishes include unusual fruits. But you can add them to the table only if their seeds have not yet coarsened.
Eating mini watermelons is allowed not only after heat treatment. They are eaten raw or marinated. If the hostess decided to make lightly salted cucumbers or preserve green tomatoes in a barrel, then adding an atypical additive to the brine is allowed at any time.
If salty melotria is served on the table as an appetizer for alcohol, then inexperienced guests will wonder for a long time what kind of specific color the olives have. In addition, canned preparation goes well with winter salads and can even serve as an element of decorating the main dish, canapes.
Taking the risk of growing a guest from distant Africa on their own backyard, gardeners will be able to replenish the diet with a juicy light-colored tuber at the end of the harvest season. It tastes like a radish. It is better to eat it fresh, or adding it to salads with other vegetables. The only caveat is the rules for correct storage, since the root must be eaten immediately after digging. Even deep freezing will not save him, as the nutrients evaporate quickly.
Experimenters who have begun growing often leave reviews indicating another area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbapplication for the plant. It is often exploited by landscape designers, creating cozy green hedges that are famous for their unpretentious care.
For decorative purposes, an atypical bindweed can simply be planted in flowerpots, placing them on the window sills of the balcony. In a few years, they will make a real natural fence, creating a good shade without any hassle for the owners.
In public institutions, shoots are simply let out along the wall of the hall, making for them a “web” of ropes for secure fastening. It turns out an original decoration that does not require special care. It is enough to periodically feed the soil with organic fertilizers.
Indications and contraindications
The benefits and harms of the presented spice go hand in hand, since diligence with eating too many fruits can adversely affect the digestive tract. But if the dosage is observed, it is possible to achieve stabilization of the functioning of the pancreas.
Another positive quality is called low calorie content. Due to this, many adherents of a healthy lifestyle, as well as losing weight, can freely include it in their daily diet. And thanks to the structure of the African cucumber, it is easily digested without replenishing the stock of toxins in the body.
Other positive features include:
- removal of excess fluid, which is suitable for people suffering from constant swelling;
- stabilization of blood pressure;
- elimination of toxins along with bad cholesterol.
The last item was made possible thanks to plant fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the overall cleansing of the body, which is especially important after waking up from hibernation. The hidden trump card of greens was the prevention of constipation.
But there are also several significant contraindications, including:
- increased acidity of gastric juice;
- gastritis;
- stomach ulcers.
To get the maximum benefit, it is better to use only young fruits. If their skin has become woody, it is better to send such a blank for subsequent preservation. But it is better to postpone pickled fruits for those who suffer from ailments in part:
- liver;
- gastrointestinal tract;
- liver;
- of cardio-vascular system.
Despite the positive changes in blood pressure with regular consumption of such a supplement, patients with hypertension and atherosclerosis should better avoid eating it.
Pregnancy is considered a classic of contraindications for pickled African cucumbers. Here we are talking not even about the composition of the fruit, but about the increased salt content, which can lead to an increase in swelling.
Culinary use
Fans of exotic dishes have long learned to cook both melotria tubers and “watermelons”. Roots that look like sweet potatoes are readily added to the menu by vegetarians.
But it’s one thing when the novelty has settled in the garden or windowsill, and another when you have to buy it from your hands.
In order not to miscalculate with the choice, you need to pay attention to the appearance of the vegetable. Each copy should be not only hard, but also smooth. For maximum preservation of all biologically active components, you need to choose only fruits without mechanical damage.
If you want to fully enjoy the taste characteristics, then you need to choose specimens with the clearest pattern on the skin. It is believed that they have the sweetest taste.
After the purchase, you will need to follow the rules for the safe storage of the acquisition. It is worth storing an additive to a traditional table only in a special section of the refrigerator. And to leave the purchase there is not more than a week.
If the hostess got her hands on canning the workpiece, then in a sterilized jar the winter delicacy can successfully stand for about three months.
Since the plant goes well with meat and vegetable dishes, there are many opportunities for healthy food lovers to use it in the kitchen. Experiments are welcome.