Bitter Melon

Momordica charantia (colloquially: bitter melon; bitter apple; bitter gourd; bitter squash; balsam-pear; with many more names listed below) is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit. There are about 300 varieties found around the world. Bitter gourd is cultivated as an important vegetable crop in many areas of Pakistan. Bitter gourd is a subtropical vegetable and requires hot and dry climate conditions for successful cultivation. Crops can be grown even in place of slightly lower temperatures and high rainfall areas. The seed is sown from January to March for summer season crop, June-July for rainy season crop in the plains and March to June in the hills. Harvesting is done when the fruits are still young and tender every alternate day.