Fig Leaf Gourd/Cucurbita ficifolia is a species of squash, grown for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens. It has many common names in English such as the fig-leaf gourd, Malabar gourd, black seed squash, and cider. Although it is closely related to other squashes in its genus, such as the pumpkin, it shows a considerable biochemical difference from them and does not hybridize readily with them.

Also known as Malabar gourd, the fruit of this winter squash is found surprisingly often in Britain’s ethnic communities. The Chinese know them as shark fin melon, while the Bangladeshis call them Chinese kadu and eat the young fruit in curries. The Spanish make a preserve – called dulce de caballo de angel (angel hair) from the flesh of mature fruit.

The cold-tolerant plants are vigorous growers, producing vines at least 9 to 10 meters long.  The fruit are renowned for their long storage life – we’ve kept one of ours for more than two years.

Figleaf Gourd is a squash species that is cultivated for its edible seeds, green and fruit. Other common names are Angel’s Hair, Asian Pumpkin, Black-Seeded Gourd, Chilacayote, Chiverre, Fig-Leaf Gourd, Fig-Leaved Gourd, Malabar Gourd, Malabar Squash, Pie Melon, Shark Fin Melon, Siam Pumpkin,  Thai  Marrow, Thin Vermicelli Pumpkin, Black-seed squash, Cidra, and Sidra.

Figleaf Gourd Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Cucurbita ficifolia

Figleaf Gourd is a climbing cine that grows well in temperate climates and perennial in tropical zones. The stem grows 5 to 15 meters and produces tendrils that help to climb adjacent plants and structures. Unlike other circuits, it may root from leaf axils. When grown perennially, the vine becomes semi-woody. Leaves resemble the shape of fig leaves. Leaves are simple, alternate circular-ovate to reniform in outline, sinuate to lobe having serrate or entire margin, 18-25 cm across. The plant blooms monoecious and imperfect flowers (i.e. flowers are either male or female but both sexes can be found on the same plant). It is pollinated by insects especially bees. The flowers are yellow to orange. Fruit is oblong, diameter 8 inches or 20 cm weighing 11 to 13 pounds, and resembles watermelon containing wide black seeds. Seeds are flattened, ovate-elliptical, 15–25 × 7–12 mm, and a dark brown to black or creamy white color. The fruit is highly uniform in size, color, and shape. The fruits comprise upto 500 seeds. The skin varies from light or dark green to cream. The plant produce shoots 25 meters long in 1 year from seed.

Facts About Figleaf Gourd

Figleaf Gourd Benefits

1. Controls level of sugar

Seeds are used to rejuvenate producing cells of the pancreas. It helps to maintain the blood glucose level in the body. It has polysaccharide sugar which helps to restore pancreatic tissue. The pancreas circulation is improved.

2. Diabetes prevention

It is capable of controlling sugar levels in the blood and is used to prevent diabetes.

3. Liver health

Figleaf gourd helps to maintain liver health. It optimizes the metabolism of eliminating toxins from the body.

4. Bone health

Fruits are rich in calcium which helps to maintain healthy bone. It provides the necessity of minerals required for bone fracture. It helps to strengthen bones.

5. Prevents bacteria

Fruits contain tannin, flavonoids and alkaloids which is used to eliminate bacteria from the body. It acts against pathogenic infection and provides effects as anti-microbial to various bacteria. It helps to prevent the disease and speeds cure during illness.

6. Helpful for depression

It acts as an antidepressant. It relieves nerves and provides a calm feeling. It is a great treatment for people with insomnia symptoms. It optimizes the quality of sleep.

7. Relieves fever

Figleaf gourd helps to provide relief from treatment and restores body temperature to normal temperature. It speeds up recovery from influenza.

8. Treat Heatiness

Fruit helps to treat heartiness. It calms down the heat inside the stomach. It absorbs heat and provides coldness to the body. It helps to lower the heatiness effect on the body.

9. Weight Loss

Figleaf gourd seeds help to treat weight loss. It has low carbohydrates and high protein. It improves body metabolism to absorb vital nutrients and avoid unnecessary weight gain. It prevents cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack.

10. Treat constipation

Fruits help to treat constipation with its laxative effect. It protects the stomach wall so that the stomach won’t be able to produce much gas and acid. Thus, it eliminates constipation and maintains stomach health.

11. Digestive health

The fruit has a high content of dietary fiber. It improves the digestive system. It promotes the metabolism of the body and assists in fast digestion. Moreover, it acts as absorbing the crucial nutrients in the body. It optimizes the peristaltic movement and maintains intestinal health.

12. Acts as antioxidant

Fruits are rich in isoflavones which acts as an antioxidant. It provides a pleasant feeling to the body. It eliminates the effect of the free radicals. Moreover, it maintains the body and prevents the signs of early aging.

13. Lower inflammation

Fruits are considered to be anti-inflammatory. It cures sore throat by lowering the sore inflammation and results to fasten cure. It provides relief from pain by controlling nerves to provide relaxation against illness.

14. Boost Immunity

The fruit has a high content of Vitamin C assisting in strengthening the immunity system. It assists to prevent bacterial infection. It also maintains body health.

15. Bronchitis treatment

Fruits have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which are helpful in treating bronchitis. It relieves pain and maintains respiratory health.

Culinary uses

• Seeds, fruits, flowers, leaves, and tender shoots are consumed.
• Immature fruits are cooked as vegetables or used in soups.
• In Asia, pulp strands are used to make soup especially shark fin soup.
• The flesh is impregnated with sugar to prepare candy confection.
• Mature fruits are fermented to make alcoholic beverages.
• In Spain, mature fruit is processed into jam.
• In Portugal, Spain, and Hungary, sweet and mature fruits are used to make a sweet dessert.
• Roasted seeds are consumed as snacks like peanuts or also consumed raw.
• Roasted and dehusked seeds are used as a garnish for meats and potatoes.
• In Chiapas, Mexico seeds are used with honey to make palanquetas, a dessert.
• Oil is extracted from the seed.
• Young shoots, leaves, and flowers are used as greens.
• Use the buds and male flowers in soups, stews, and salads.
• In East Africa, leaves are consumed.
• In Tanzania and Kenya, leaves are mixed with pulses, maize, Irish potato, and green bananas.
• In Mexico, flowers and shoots are cooked as vegetables.
• Mature fruits are boiled and consumed.

Culinary uses

• Fruits are used as juice.
• Boil the mature fruits and mix them in soup.
• Add the flowers in the salad.
• Leaves are used to make herbal tea.

Traditional uses

• Ground the seeds with husk into flour and made into an emulsion with water and taken as a vermifuge.
• Use it as a purgative to expel tapeworms and other parasites.

Storage

• Young leaves remain fresh for 2 days and immature fruits are stored for a few weeks.
• Dry the seeds and store it for the longer time period.

Side Effects

• It causes allergic reactions such as itchiness, rash and might cause asthma.
• Pregnant women should avoid it.

References

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