Ivy Gourd or Dondakaya is a widely consumed vegetable available throughout the year in India. It is rich in beta-carotene and large numbers are now imported daily to the UK. The small, stubby, green coloured vegetables which grow on aggressive perennial vines are used to prepare delicious stuffed curries, stews, pickles, salads and stir fries. It can be harvested at the green unripe stage or when red. The young shoots and leaves of Coccinia grandis can also be eaten as greens and the fruits can be eaten raw. Worth a try as an annual crop in a warm sheltered spot in the UK.
