One of the Nutritious vegetables is Sponge Gourd or in tagalog word is Patola. Patola is basically a fruit but consumed as vegetable. Patola is one of the foremost common vegetables in the Philippines. It is even included in one of well-known Tagalog children’s rhyme, Bahay Kubo. A common fruit in the Philippines, Patola is the unripe fruit of the plant having the scientific name Luffa acutangular also called the Luffa or Loofah gourd, is a member of the cucumber family, Patola is adapted to humid tropics. In the Philippines, it can be grown all through the year. However, for ideal production, select soil with a high level of organic matter. This crop can be productively developed in rain-field and irrigated farms but not effectively with dry soils.
Productive months in developing Patola are from June to September and from February to May in the event that there's an adequate water system. The exact origins of the Sponge gourd are not known, but the plant is native to Asia, where it grows naturally in areas such as India, Myanmar and in the Philippines.
Young Sponge gourds have a delicate skin that tends to break effectively. To avoid harm, the vegetable is cut from the vine, instead of pulled. The dried fibers of develop Sponge gourd are utilized to create sponges, these are used to form loofahs to exfoliate the skin; or to create cleaning wipes for kitchens and lavatories. Sponge gourd has a mild taste and a silky texture. Ripe fruits are not tasty, being fibrous, bitter and brown.
Patola is loaded with nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, riboflavin, zinc, thiamine, iron and magnesium. The Sponge gourd natural product has been found to have antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Only the young natural Sponge gourd is utilized in cooking. Young sponge gourds may be eaten raw, like cucumbers, or cooked as a vegetable. Sponge gourd may be utilized in dishes together with squash, zucchini or okra. The natural product is best consumed as soon it is bought or harvested. Sponge gourd can be stored within the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
It is particularly good when families dine together on a damp rainy night with this Filipino dish, a Patola soup with pork meatballs, misua noodles, garlic and lots of chicken broth, Yummy!
ZS DMO II Karla P. Calapardo, RND
References:
1.specialtyproduce.com
https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Sponge_Gourd_12570.php
2.Patola (Luffa Gourd) Production Guide
Patola (Luffa Gourd) Production Guide (businessdiary.com.ph)
