Chinese Bittermelon

Bittermelon, also called Balsam Pear or Bitter Gourd, is an edible pod vegetable that grows from a tropical vine. Among the most bitter of all culinary vegetables, it is combined with sweet, spicy, and savory ingredients to create a well-rounded dish. Bittermelon also has hypoglycemic actions of potential benefit in diabetes treatment. The Chinese Bittermelon is large and light green, with a gently undulating, warty surface.