Snake melon

Snake melon, also known as snake gourd, snake bean, soybean horn, etc., is an annual climbing herb of the genus Trichosanthes in the Cucurbitaceae family. It is native to India and Malaysia. The plant has long stems and strong branching. The leaves are green and palm-shaped with deep lobes, the lobes are round, the melon strips are slender, more than 1 meter long, and the transverse diameter is 3-4 cm (the transverse diameter is larger for mature melons). The body of the melon is long and cylindrical or slightly curved. The apex and base of the melon become thinner and thinner. The skin is smooth and the strips look like snakes. The rind has a special smell. Young melons are grayish white with alternating dark and light green stripes, and old melons gradually turn red.

Snake melon fruit is shaped like a snake and has many fruits. The flowers and fruits have high ornamental value. The tender fruits, leaves and stems of snake melon are all edible, but the tender melons with soft flesh are mainly eaten. Old melons have a bitter taste and cannot be eaten. Snake melon has a slight fishy smell, but it turns into a fragrant smell after being fried. Tender snake melon can be sliced, shredded and stir-fried plain, or stir-fried with meat or made into soup. It is fragrant, delicious and has a unique flavor. Snake melon is rich in nutrients. Each 100 grams of tender melon contains 1.1 grams of protein, 0.1 grams of fat, 2.9 grams of sugar, 0.8 grams of crude fiber and a variety of minerals. Snake melon is cool in nature and slightly sweet in taste. It has the functions of clearing away heat, resolving phlegm, moistening the lungs, and smoothing the intestines.

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