Sarawakiana Local Delights : Stir Fry Bitter Gourd Leaves

Bitter gourd leaves stir fry

Bunches of wild bitter gourd leaves for sale.

Bitter gourd leaves are often eaten in the ulu areas of Sarawak. It is only in recent years that people in the urban areas have started to enjoy cooking and eating them. In fact these bitter gourd leaves grow easily from seed any where there is some loose loamy soil, even, from pots.

Wild bitter gourd leaves

People have found out that there are nutritional and medicinal benefits eating this bitter vegetable. It gives also important vitamins and minerals.

The immature fruits can also be cooked together with the leaves. Many diabetics have eaten the juices of the leaves and found some positive improvement in their conditions.

Beautiful flower of the wild bitter gourd

Many health food manufacturers in Malaysia and other countries have made health teas from the leaves.

Both the wild and domesticated bitter gourd leaves are edible. However, the wild bitter gourd leaves are preferred.