Barelaa (Balsam Apple) - बरेला
Barelaa is a late summer vegetable measuring between 1 to 2 inches long, slightly curved at one end with soft and delicate texture. The pale green juicy fruit looks somewhat like a pointed gourd (parwar or parvar). The vegetable is picked and cooked when it is young and tender. The mature overripe ones have numerous black rough seeds, which should be removed before cooking. Since this vegetable is very delicate, it cooks quickly.
Barelaa is a late summer vegetable measuring between 1 to 2 inches long, slightly curved at one end with soft and delicate texture. The pale green juicy fruit looks somewhat like a pointed gourd (parwar or parvar). The vegetable is picked and cooked when it is young and tender. The mature overripe ones have numerous black rough seeds, which should be removed before cooking. Since this vegetable is very delicate, it cooks quickly.
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| The common name of Barelaa is - Balsam Apple and the scientific name is Momordica balsamina (source - an introduction of Nepalese food plants) |
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| Barelaa plant is an annual running vine - the leaf blades are hairy to smooth, with a bright yellow flower. |
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| It is commonly grown in the warm hilly regions of Nepal. |
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| Pale green Barelaa ready to be picked up (picture taken at my home garden). |
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| Photo taken at Nepali Vegetable Market - Tarkaari Bazaar |
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Freshly picked Barelaa from my backyard home garden - getting ready to cook.Copyright InformationAll information on the Taste of Nepal blog are restricted use under copyright law. You may not re-use words, stories, photographs, or other posted material without the explicit written consent and proper credit to Jyoti Pathak. If you would like to use any materials here, please contact me. |
Interesting. I never knew what these were called. They make delicious tarkaari, though.
ReplyDeleteNamaskar and thank you for commenting....would you like to share your recipe of Barela ko Tarkaari?
ReplyDeleteI brought some seeds from Nepal last year. Some Barelaas are already grown up in my garden now. I would be very happy to find out some recipes for Bareaa. Thanks and regards,
ReplyDeleteNamaskar and thank you for writing. Please check my cookbook, Taste of Nepal for Barelaa ko Tarkaari recipe under vegetables section.
DeleteWhere would I find seeds outside of Nepal?
Deletewhat is the outdoor temperature requirement for growing barela ?
DeleteThank you for stopping by - I grow Barelaa only in summer time when the temperature more than 65 degree...F
DeleteJyotijee, I am afraid your pictures and other details don't match the species Scientific name and Common name, please check: https://www.gbif.org/species/2874582. But, I would love to know the right scientific name and common name for the tasty vegetable in the picture. Thank you in advance.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting. I got the scientific name of Barelaa from a book "introduction of Nepalese Plants" . I checked the link you sent. It says the name -
ReplyDeleteMomordica balsamina L.
Published in: Sp. pl. 2:1009. 1753
I am just a food writer and a blogger. Please check with the Nepali agriculture specialist for details. Appreciate your comment and stopping by to my page.
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I got the valuable information from your blog.
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I have an allotment in London where a lovely Nepalese gentleman has given me some seeds for next year. How do you cook this vegtable please
ReplyDelete