Pointed Gourd

It is a vine plant, similar to cucumber and squash, though unlike those it is perennial. It is a dioecious (male and female plants) vine (creeper) plant with heart-shaped leaves (cordate) and is grown on a trellis. The fruits are green with white or no stripes. Size can vary from small and round to thick and long — 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm). It thrives well under a hot to moderately warm and humid climate. The plant remains dormant during the winter season and prefers a fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil due to its susceptibility to water-logging.

It is used as ingredients of soup, stew, curry, sweet, or eaten fried and as dorma with roe stuffing.

Also see trichosanthes, gourd.

In India Parbal is used as Vegetable. Most of the Indian Make curry of Parbal and eat along with rice or chapati.The fruit is not bitter but the leaf of the plant is bitter in taste.The plant is cripary and an annual plant.Grows during summer season in India.