~Scarlet Gourd~

Native to tropical  Africa to Asia

Coccinia grandis

aka Cephalandra indica  and Coccinia indica.

~IVY GOURD~

You are bidding on * fresh seeds shipped from Hawaii.

There are a variety of recipes from all over the world that list Rashmato as the main ingredient.  Rashmato are best when cooked. It is often compared to bitter melon. The fruit is commonly eaten in Indian cuisine. People of Indonesia and other  southeast Asian countries also consume the fruit and leaves.

In Thai cuisine it is one of the ingredients of the Kaeng khae curry. Tips are blanched for dipping with  chili, fried, and cooked as clear soup.

Cultivation of Rashmati in home gardens has been encouraged in Thailand due to it being a good source of  several micronutrients, including vitamins A and C.
In India it is eaten as a curry, by deep-frying it along with spices; stuffing it with Masala and sautéing it, or boiling it first in a  pressure cooker and then frying it. It is also used in Sambar, a vegetable and lentil-based soup.

Ripe Ivy Gourd is high in beta-carotene, has vitamins A and C, but low  on the glycemic index. Per 100 g edible portion, the fruits contain:  water 93.5 g, energy 75 kJ (18 kcal), protein 1.2 g, fat 0.1 g,  carbohydrate 3.1 g, fiber 1.6 g, Ca 40 mg, P 30 mg, Fe 1.4 mg, thiamine  0.07mg, riboflavin 0.08 mg, niacin 0.7 mg, ascorbic acid 1.4 mg.

Read more about

Tindora

One of the lesser-known fruits, in Southeast Asia, ivy gourd is grown  for its edible young shoots and edible fruits.

Called Ivy Gourd, Scarlet Gourd, Thai spinach, Kovai, Tindora (and a host of other names) the  young leaves and slender tops of the stems are cooked and eaten as a potherb, in soups, or as a side dish, often with rice. The young and  tender green fruits are eaten raw in salads, or boiled, steamed, fried, added to dishes like curry or soups or even fermented. The  ripe, scarlet fruit is fleshy, on the sweet side, and eaten raw. It can also be candied. The fruit is often available in specialty  markets and is very common in India.

A gourd of the family Cucurbitaceae, juicy climber, trailer herbs or under shrubs, easily found and well grown in gardens or on fences.

General characteristic Vines with small green and round tendrils. The tendrils are 12-14 cm long, single and spring-like twisted, oppositely  inserted to leaves.

Leaves are simple and alternate. Leaves' bases are in heart-shaped, sharpened tip and curvy edge. The shape of the leaf is  star-liked with 5 rays. 5-7 veins separated from leaves' bases. Leaves are 3-4 cm wide, 5-6 cm long. A stem is 3-5 cm long.

Pronounced kok-SIN-ee-uh GRAN-dees,  (Big Red) the plant in the lab has shown anti-oxidant,  anti-triglyceride, and anti-bacterial activity and is useful in the  treatment of jaundice. It’s also been used to treat abscesses and high  blood pressure. C. grandis has been introduced as a food crop in several  countries in Asia, as well as Australia, Pacific Islands, Africa, the  Caribbean, and the southern United States. It is found it at least  Florida, Texas and Hawaii and probably other unreported warm areas.

  Vigorously growing vine up to 30+ feet long. Grows best in slightly drier humid climates. It isn't too  picky about soil or water requirements other than liking ground moisture year-round.

C. grandis: Stems mostly hairless, green and longitudinally ribbed when young, becoming white-spotted when  older and eventually woody, tendrils simple, in the axils. Leaves alternate, simple, broad, ovate, 5-lobed, heart-shaped, stem has 3-8  glands near the base; inflorescence usually solitary, axillary flowers. Corolla deeply divided into 5 lobes. Stamens 3, present as staminodes in  female flowers. Fruit a smooth, striped green turning bright red, ovoid to ellipsoid about two inches long.

TIME OF YEAR: Can produce year round

ENVIRONMENT: Agricultural areas, natural forests, planted forests, disturbed and waste areas.

C. grandis: Stems mostly hairless, green and longitudinally ribbed when young, becoming white-spotted when  older and eventually woody, tendrils simple, in the axils. Leaves alternate, simple, broad, ovate, 5-lobed, heart-shaped, stem has 3-8  glands near the base; inflorescence usually solitary, axillary flowers. Corolla deeply divided into 5 lobes. Stamens 3, present as staminodes in  female flowers. Fruit a smooth, striped green turning bright red, ovoid to ellipsoid about two inches long. The fruit is ellipsoidal or ovoid, 2 to 3 1/8 in (5-8 cm) long, 1 1/2 to 2 3/8 in (4-6 cm) wide; orange-yellow;  clasped at the base by 3 large, green, leaflike bracts, toothed and edged with conspicuous glands.

METHOD OF PREPARATION: Young leaves and slender tops of the stems are cooked and eaten as a potherb, in soups, or as a side dish, often with  rice. The young and tender green fruits are eaten raw in salads, or boiled, steamed, fried, added to dishes like curry or soups or even  fermented. The ripe, scarlet fruit, is fleshy, on the sweet side, and eaten raw. It can also be candied.

Coccinea indica plant has two different variants – bitter tasting fruit  type which is only used as medicine (according to Ayurveda) and is found growing wild in many countries including the US, and the sweet variety  called Tindora, fruits of which are also used in different food preparations.

Recipe courtesy of Show Me The Curry.

Rashmato Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: Approx 20-25 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Tindora – approx 1 1/2 lbs, sliced
Oil – 1 Tbsp
Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Asofoetida (Hing) – pinch
Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
Green Chilies – to taste, finely chopped
Coriander Powder – 1 tsp
Cumin Powder – 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder – to taste
Salt – to taste

Method:

1. Heat Oil in a medium non-stick pan on medium heat.
2. Add Mustard Seeds and allow them to pop.
HIATE 3. Add Cumin Seeds and let them sizzle.
4. Add Asofoetida, Turmeric Powder, Green Chilies and Tindora. Mix well.
5. Add Salt, Red Chili Powder, Coriander Powder and Cumin Powder.
6. Mix well, cover and cook until Tindora are tender. Stir every few minutes to cook evenly and prevent burning.
7. When Tindora are tender, uncover and cook for an additional few minutes to lightly brown them.

Tindora (available drom Indian markets) makes a delicious curry at an Indian vegetarian restaurants.  It has resemblance to a cucumber or zucchini. Quarter the Tindora and sautée it till slightly browned with a sweet onion, some garlic, and some red chili flakes. Add a can of Italian cherry tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and sea salt, then simmer all together for about ten minutes. Serve on a pasta bowl with some grated  Romano cheese on top. The Tindora has the consistency of perfectly cooked Italian green beans. The dish is delicious with pasta, cook the Tindora  seperately with it as its delicate flavor would be completely overwhelmed.

Ivy Gourd can be  distinguished by its five-point, palm-shaped leaves. White, star-shaped  flowers distinguish this weed from other vines. These white flowers give  way to small, green, pickle-sized fruits which eventually turn scarlet  in color. Each of these fruit contains numerous seeds which contribute  to the rapid spread of this weed to new locations. The fruit is edible  and recembles sweet-and-sour cucumber with fresh flavor. Best eaten when  fruit are not quite ripe (green).

Tips:

1. In a time crunch, use the slicer blade of your food processor to roughly chop/slice the Tindora.
2. Cleaned and cut Tindora freeze well.
3. Be careful when salting Tindora. They tend to shrink and become a little salty and tangy.

All good things  take time, so I grow my plants and rare palms in  my  ebay store.

Much more to check out or just get a little  education on in my store.

        Shipping

ATTENTION USA  BIDDERS!

     All  live plants if shipped bare-root are wrapped  in moist sphagnum moss to ensure the  plant's healthy transit to you. All live plants are  Inspected By USDA Plant Inspectors before they are shipped  to insure you get healthy pest free plants and seeds.

We ship  via USPS Mondays-Wednesday with Delivery confirmation.

            All plant materials are  required by LAW to inspected and certified by USDA prior to  export Hawaii to the US Mainland.

After Inspection, USDA stamps released for  export Hawaii to the US Mainland. All items are delivered to  USDA Inspection Station at Honolulu International airport.

USDA  Certification charge  is included in Shipping and Handling @ $5 fee per item/species.

There  is a packing and custom boxing fee.

Last and usually least is USPS postage (shipping)

ATTENTION  INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS!

We can  ship certified live plants to the US only. Only Domestic  Shipping and Handling includes USDA Certification.

We ship  Seeds Internationally.

All  International shipments are at Buyer's Risk. Please spend no  more more than you can lose!

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For foreign  customers, please check your laws concerning permitting and customs,  additional shipping and handling costs may apply.

The  additional charge for any Phytosanitary Certificate is  not included in this offer.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON  LIVE PLANTS  is available only under these conditions!

All  international orders are shipped at the BUYER's  RISK  (shipped with or without  documents) and no refunds or replacements are offered for  Dead On Arrival, loss, confiscation, Customs Seizure,  unanticipated charges, etc.

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We accept online  payments only through PayPal, Cash payments are only  acceptable for in-person payments and cash-on-delivery  (COD). Cash payment can not be sent through the mail.    

       Please only one Paypal payment. SO THE COMBINED SHIPPING  RULE WILL CAN BE USED. Late or Multiple PayPal payments are  NOT eligible for any discount.

We will ship once a  week - ON or BEFORE WEDNESDAYS, because of the special  stamps needed to ship plants and cuttings to you.  This  can only be done at the Dept. of Agriculture.  If  payments are not met before that MONDAY, your items will be  shipped the following week and lose the combined discount  opportunity. Non-paying bidders may receive negative  feedback and will be reported as an unpaid item to eBay.

COMBINED  SHIPPING POLICY

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING  is not included in this offer.         INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON  LIVE PLANTS on a case by case basis.

We will combine shipping  for auctions won on the same week paid with same PayPal  payment.

This policy is good  for auction items bought and paid for in the week ending  MONDAY.

We ship on Tuesdays.

Payment must be  received within 4 days of the auction ending. 

Combined  Discounts Won Auctions

For 2-3 winning  auctions, the combined discount is 10% of the total Shipping  and Handling charges.

For 4-7 winning  auctions, the combined discount is 20% of the total Shipping  and Handling charges.

For 7+ winning  auctions, the combined discount is 30% of the total Shipping  and Handling charges.

As  each order is packed and prepared separately you will pay the quoted S/H charges individually per item. If you buy the same species in that item it  does calculate out the discount (i.e.: additional items)

My stores' combined shipping is built in for same items rather than a varied  selection. Domestic S/H includes postage, USDA certification and inspection, proper packing and delivery to Airport for  prompt delivery. I can't really change any of these. If you want one of this and one of that, it is hard to discount  much as each different species requires it's own prep, packing, then at USDA each has to be unwrapped and inspected  then repacked. USDA requires me to clean and prepare every last piece before we drive them to the Inspection Station on  the other side of the island. It takes my wife and I, 2-3 days to pack items and get ready to ship. The whole next day  we drive around the island and get inspected (2-3 hours), then drive to the Airport Post Office to drop off. It takes  the same work with the same type item if you can understand.

When you order a plant we assume you are prepared to care for it. It is your responsibility to know how to care  for the plant. Do some research before they arrive or seek experienced help.

 Small plants need protection from many things, wind, sun, dry-out. They do well just in the garage or living  room. They need good light but not sunlight (full sun will burn small plants). Small pots dry-out easily. Just sitting in a shallow tray of water works  well. The idea is to keep the plants from dehydrating.

Be careful if you decide to re-pot.  Re-potting voids any warranty. Plants are easily damaged with new/different mix. Use NO fertilizers (this may kill your plants).  Proper care is critical upon arrival. Live Plants are NOT GUARANTEED  to survive under your care. DO NOT expect any live plant to be GUARANTEED to remain alive. Plants are NOT GUARANTEED TO SURVIVE after you begin Care! Live arrival is guaranteed,  eternal survival is up to you.

 IF YOU are NOT able to provide PROPER CARE, PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT plant to be GUARANTEED after it perishes.

NO REPLACEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF YOU HAVE REPOTTED THE PLANT.

Please Do NOT email me a week after potting your plant, and make a claim it arrived damaged. If you repot your plant after delivery, all warranties are voided and no replacement is offered. All  photos must be as arrived in original condition as received (in the box and packed as delivered).

If repotted, you are responsible for the condition of the plant. NO REPLACEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF YOU HAVE REPOTTED THE PLANT.

Not every plant that I grow survives, and I am aware of that and accept the risk when I order. This is the risk that you as the buyer accept, because there is no way to know what kind  of conditions it will endure in the trip to your door. My responsibility ends when a live plant is delivered to your door.

You are agreeing to these terms when you make this purchase from this listing.

LIVE PLANTS ARE PERISHABLE.

There is the risk when you grow plants that they may die.  LIVE PLANTS are PERISHABLE, guaranteed not to live forever.

US orders ONLY are GUARANTEED for LIVE ARRIVAL . All International orders are shipped at the BUYER's  RISK!

From delivery confirmation, you have only 48 hours from delivery confirmation to make any claim.

All claims need to be supported with Photos of the damaged plant(s) as packed/unpacked, the box if damaged, the packing materials and any documents.

I am very reasonable and understanding, anything can happen to small plants in transit, for this reason uninsurable.

The expense to send it to you is most of your payment. To send any replacements, I try to piggy back with your next order.

Replacement is not an option for CUSTOMS SEIZURE.

ALL OF MY ITEMS ARE SHIPPED USDA CERTIFIED WITHIN THE U.S. - USDA and USPS fees  are included in the actual cost of shipping and Handling.

Please do not leave a 1 or 2 in my detailed seller ratings for postage fees or any  reason really because I will block you from any further purchases.
 
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I ship items the best and least expensive option. These are coming from Hawaii.  The only thing inexpensive here in Hawaii are my items!! I do ship all my items promptly via best method. If you feel  like the combined shipping fee is wrong, please wait to be invoiced and check back with me! I value your business and  will work diligently to keep you satisfied. I am very generous and reasonable with reasonable people, just ask.

my dog Taz will fetch your email to me

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I want you to be satisfied!

Mahalo iâ `oe no ke kipa `ana mai. E kipa mai hou!

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