Spiny gourd or the teasle gourd or “Kantola”

With the arrival of monsoon, this spiny stout cousin of bitter gourd or the karela finds its place on our local vegetable vendor’s cart.

Kantola is high on fibre, low on calories and rich in phyto proteins. Also contains flavonoids for skin health. Belonging to cucumber family, it has a high amount of moisture. Beautiful yellowish green colour suggests the presence of carotenoids and vitamin C.

In Ayurveda, it is said to have ushna virya, hot potency and it’s bitter pungent tastes makes it ideal for consumption in monsoon to keep cold and cough at bay. It subsides kapha in the body.

Just as the bitter gourd this vegetable too increases the secretion of insulin in the body. Ideal for diabetics as it helps in control of blood sugar.

So don’t forget to include “kantola” in your recipes this monsoon season and keep healthy!!