Telfairia occidentalis is a tropical vine grown in West Africa as a leaf vegetable and for its edible seeds. Common names for the plant include fluted gourd, fluted pumpkin, ugu (in the Igbo language), and ikong-ubong (in the Efik and Ibibio languages). T.
Are pumpkins grown in Africa?
About 40 000 ha of pumpkins are grown yearly in South Africa. Pumpkins are being produced countrywide in South Africa.
Is pumpkin the same as Ugu?
The official name is pumpkin leaf. We have another vegetable in Nigeria that we call fluted pumpkin leaves (ugboguru, ugbogiri) because the stalk of Ugboguru is hollow hence the flute in the name. But this one is just pumpkin leaf. The Igbo name for Nigerian pumpkin leaves is Ugu.
What is African squash?
“African” squash is a uniquely Georgia product with its roots in Zaire and its original Georgia connection at Koinonia Farm in Americus. Ann Brewer, who manages the chef demos for the Morningside Farmers Market, was one of the original founders of Georgia Grown, a farmer-owned cooperative begun in the early 1990s.
What is pumpkin called in Nigeria?
Ugwu
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.
How do pumpkins grow in South Africa?
Growing Pumpkin
- Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 32°C. (
- Space plants: 90 – 120 cm apart.
- Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
- Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn.
Can you eat fluted pumpkin?
The fluted pumpkin fruit is inedible. It is mainly cultivated for its leaf and edible seeds. It is primarily used in soup and herbal medicines. The seeds contribute to a well-balanced diet as they are high in protein and fat.
What is ugu called in English?
Common names for the plant include fluted gourd, fluted pumpkin, ugu (in the Igbo language), and ikong-ubong (in the Efik and Ibibio languages).
| Telfairia occidentalis | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Telfairia |
| Species: | T. occidentalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f. |
Does Ugwu and milk give blood?
In fact, the Igbos have used Ugwu as a natural blood tonic for centuries. And they are right on that. That’s NO myth. “But they give us Malt and Milk after donating blood” Actually, that’s a “thanks for coming”, dears.
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 squash called in South Africa?
Rolet Gem Squash
A true South African heirloom squash. Rolet Gem squash is also known as Little Gem or by its Afrikaans name,’Skorsie’.
How healthy is gem squash?
Health Benefits
Gem squash is low in Saturated Fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Niacin, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese.
What is another name for gem squash?
Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo var. pepo) is a variety of summer squash that may have been domesticated from two wild varieties; Cucurbita texana found in the southern and central United States and Cucurbita fraterna found in Mexico.
Is Egusi the same as pumpkin seed?
Egusi seeds come from the Egusi gourd, which looks very similar to a watermelon. Unlike a watermelon, however, the fruit from the Egusi gourd is bitter and not edible, so these gourds are grown primarily for their seeds. These seeds are similar in size to small pumpkin seeds and a bit creamier in flavor.
What does ugu do to the body?
It acts as a blood booster due to its rich iron and minerals properties. In regards to blood-related conditions, ugu also prevents and treats anaemia. The folate nutrient present in it helps increase the hemoglobin and red blood cells in the body. Ugu also serves as an anti-diabetic agent.
Is ugu a spinach?
If you live in Nigeria and you see Spinach used in a recipe, simply use Ugu or Green depending on what you are cooking. For instance, if what the person cooked is Yam and Vegetable, you can use either Ugu or Green.
What is the sweetest type of pumpkin?
Sugar pumpkins
Also known as pie pumpkins or sweet pumpkins, the sugar pumpkin is perfect for pies because they aren’t as stringy and contain less water than other pumpkins. As their name indicates, the sugar pumpkin can be quite sweet compared to other pumpkins.
How much is a pumpkin in South Africa?
Producer prices
1 kg of South Africa Pumpkins, squash and gourds is around USD 0.33 in Johannesburg and Cape Town, packed and ready for shipment. The price in ZAR currency is 0.0230505.
How long do pumpkins take to grow?
90-120 days
Generally, pumpkins take 90-120 days to mature after seeds are planted, depending on the variety. Pumpkins are ripe when they are fully colored and have a hard rind and woody stem. Carefully cut off the stem with a knife, leaving several inches of stem on the pumpkin.
Is pumpkin leaf good for kidney?
Fluted pumpkin leaves contains the amount of protein needed for hormone balancing; tissue repairs and regulates the acidities of body cells and organs [3]. The plant contains high amounts of phosphorus making it useful for keeping off onset of kidney diseases like kidney stone.
Can you overdose on pumpkin?
No, pumpkins aren’t poisonous, and they’re healthy and safe for people to eat. There are not any known side effects to eating pumpkin, so long as you’re not allergic. Are pumpkins a superfood?
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
Gerardo’s friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of his delicious cooking. They always enjoy trying out his latest creations, and often give him feedback on how he can make them even better. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills.