Surprise to learn that bitter melon leaves are edible
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24650)
Singapore
March 24, 2016 8:48am CST
Recently I have time to chat with the group of retirees in charge of the community garden near my house.
I sure am surprised to learn that long bean leaves are edible, and that bitter melon (or bitter gourd) leaves are also edible.
They have really opened my eyes to new ways to save on food.
They let me pluck the sweet potato leaves for dinner too!
That is an added benefit of spending time talking to them, and helping them with the watering.
Stir Fry Bitter Melon Vines/Leaves with Eggs recipe: 2 big bunches of bitter melon vines/leaves: https://www.google.com/search?q=bitter+melon+leaves&rlz=1CAA...
7 people like this
7 responses
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
24 Mar 16
@fishtiger58 The bittermelon fruit is a bitter tasting vegetable, It's leaves are less bitter. Let's say it is like spinach but more bitter. It works well with sauteed mungbeans with pork or shrimp.
If American kids, Hate broccoli, Asian kids hates bittermelon. That fruit though is the reason why people in Okinawa can live up to 100 years or more.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
25 Mar 16
@scheng1 I think I will pass as well, I don't particularly like bitter things.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
25 Mar 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker How interesting, and doesn't it just figure that the melon is what keeps those folks in Okinawa living long lives. It always has to taste bad when it's good for you lol.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
24 Mar 16
Bitter melon leaves hmmmm wonder how they taste
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
24 Mar 16
@scheng1 Just the name bitter melon makes me shy away, not something I would want to try.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Mar 16
@fishtiger58 Bitter melon is good for those with diabetes and cancers.
Since I have neither, I do not see a reason to torture myself.
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@youless (112100)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Mar 16
In fact I don't like eating the bitter melon since they are bitter. I have never liked bitter food. I know it is a healthy vegetable but the taste is still much more important for me so far. As to the bitter melon leaves, we have never eaten them. But it is common for us to eat the sweet potato leaves. It tastes well. My husband said that in the village in the past the farmers fed the pigs with the sweet potato leaves. Now it is changed. We like eating the sweet potato leaves and it is helpful for digestion.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
25 Mar 16
Bittermelon is actually delicious but there is a hard process to remove the bitterness.
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@Letranknight2015 (51489)
• Philippines
29 Mar 16
I'd rather eat carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, ginger and potatoes on daily basis. no need for this thing.