Ugu.
Pumpkin leaf, which is locally known as “Ugu,” is one of those plants that secretly carry some unbelievable health benefits. It is said to be secret because the health benefits of the plant are unknown to most people.
What are pumpkin vines called?
squash, squash vine – any of numerous annual trailing plants of the genus Cucurbita grown for their fleshy edible fruits.
What is Ugwu leaf called in English?
Fluted pumpkin
Fluted pumpkin, commonly called Ugwu in Igbo dialect, is one of the most consumed dark green leafy vegetables which many us are unaware of its benefits to the body. Pumpkin leaves can be consumed in various ways – It can be made as a soup, added to salads, made as a dessert or eaten raw.
What are the different types of pumpkin leaves?
While light green, yellow, and grayish-green varieties are possible, they tend to be dark green in color. In addition, pumpkin leaves sometimes have serrated edges and may contain fine, glass-like prickles, depending on the variety of pumpkin. In some instances, mottled or spotted patterns can genetically occur.
Can pumpkin leaves be eaten?
Pumpkin flesh is typically what most people eat. But the young leaves are also edible. While plants are likely mature now, according to University of California-Davis, “You don’t have to wait for the pumpkin to mature before enjoying the plant. The leaves are edible and can be cooked like spinach.
What is the stringy stuff inside a pumpkin called?
pulp
This stringy stuff is called pulp. There are lots of seeds inside the pumpkin! We use our hands and a spoon to scrape out the insides. It feels wet, sticky, and gooey.
Do pumpkins have tendrils?
While pumpkins usually keep low to the ground, they can be encouraged to grow where other plants might never venture. I’ve seen them climb over shrubs, up fences and onto roofs. They do this with the help of their tendrils — curly grabbers that develop like a hand at every leaf node.
What is ewedu called in English?
jute mallow
Ewedu soup is the green slimy soup obtained from cooking the ewedu leaves; the English name of this plant is jute mallow with the botanical name Corchorus olitorius.
What is spinach called in Nigeria?
Efo tete
For the sake of everyone connected to this column, here are the names of spinach in the three major languages in Nigeria: Efo tete or Amunututu in Yoruba (literally, a cool appetizer to the stomach), Akwukwo nri in Ibo and Ganye alayyafo in Hausa.
What is lettuce called in Nigeria?
Efo Yarin
Wild lettuce (Launaea taraxacifolia) is grown mostly in West Africa, it is call “Efo Yarin” in Yoruba Language of Nigeria. This plant is commonly used as leafy vegetable, soup and sauces but its medicinal potentials are untapped.
What fluted pumpkin leaves?
Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) is a minimally-processed green leafy vegetable traditionally used for its antianaemic properties in the form of leaf juice without a heating or inactivation step before consumption.
What are the leaves for on a pumpkin plant?
Although the pumpkin fruits grow off of the vines rather than the leaves, pumpkin leaves do serve essential purposes for the plant as a whole. The provide ground cover to keep the soil around the plant damp. The huge leaves offer some natural weed control. They shelter the young fruits from some harmful pests.
What are the benefits of eating pumpkin leaves?
Pumpkin Leaves Benefits
- Promotes Heart Health.
- Lowers the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Help Alleviate Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Helps Retain Dental Health.
- Help Strengthen Bones.
- Help Fight Colon Cancer.
- Supports the Immune System.
- Provides Supple and Soft Skin.
Does pumpkin leaf give blood?
Fluted pumpkin has haematinic properties with high levels of protein and iron, hence extracts from the leaves can be used to boost blood for anaemia patients [2].
How do you prepare and eat pumpkin leaves?
Cooking pumpkin leaves
You can also lightly sautee pumpkin leaves in olive oil and add them to pasta dishes, blanch them or use them in place of leafy green vegetables in other recipes. Tender pumpkin leaves from young pumpkin plants can also be sliced thinly and added to salads.
Is pumpkin leaves good for diabetes?
Known to help reduce the sugar level in the blood, the hypoglycemic effect of pumpkin leaves help keep diabetes under control. Studies have also shown that the aqueous leaf extract of pumpkin leaves acts as anti-diabetic properties which help to reduce and regulate the glucose level of diabetic patients.
Do pumpkins have leaves?
Pumpkin leaves are large, lobed leaves that grow on hollow stems. They are roundish in shape, and often have serrated edges. They feature three or more veins. They are typically dark green in color, but may be light or grey-green, depending on the variety.
Can you use pumpkin guts for anything?
Food52’s Food Editor, Emma Laperruque, suggests adding a bag of pulp to a stock pile in the fridge or freezer with other vegetable scraps like onion peels and celery butts. Turns out pumpkin guts are deeply flavorful and can also be used in any recipe that calls for chicken or vegetable broth.
Can you eat the stringy bits in a pumpkin?
Wondering what to do with the rest? Eat it! You can eat the stringy bits, once separated from the seeds. The Chef munched on it raw while working, but a more appealing use is to turn them into pumpkin cider: Boil the strings to make a thin broth.
What are the parts of a pumpkin plant?
The pumpkin fruit, made up of flesh and seeds, is the most versatile and commonly-used part of the pumpkin. Meanwhile, the pumpkin’s flowers and leaves are comparable to vegetables and are used in various sides and salads.
Why is a pumpkin plant called a creeper?
Pumpkin is a creeper plant because the fruit is big and it cannot climb to other trees or wood so it is creeper and not a climber. The big fruit cannot be supported when it will climb.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.