Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.

Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.

Does not show up in google search.

Anyone any idea?

On Apr 22, 4:18*am, Romanise > wrote:
> Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> Does not show up in google search.
>
> Anyone any idea?

Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
"nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.

Or are you referring to the following?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata

Dinesh

On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
> On Apr 22, 4:18 am, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > Anyone any idea?
>
> Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> Or are you referring to the following?
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> Dinesh

Yes it did look like that but were in bunches with root sticking out
from underneath.

The store owner said it is of cactus family.

Did not have any flowers.

Will look for receipie.

For Karela people apply salt and then squeeze water of to reduce
bitterness, but I prefer bitter.

The lady said do not apply salt.

On Apr 22, 9:03*am, Romanise > wrote:
> On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Apr 22, 4:18 am, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> > > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > > Anyone any idea?
>
> > Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> > "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> > Or are you referring to the following?
>
> >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> > Dinesh
>
> Yes it did look like that but were in bunches with root sticking out
> from underneath.
>
> The store owner said it is of cactus family.
>
> Did not have any flowers.
>
> Will look for receipie.
>
> For Karela people apply salt and then squeeze water of to reduce
> bitterness, but I prefer bitter.
>
> The lady said do not apply salt.

I guess it is called "indian cactus" (after a little web searching).
Wouldn't have a clue on how to cook it. Maybe googling on the
scientific name will lead you in the right direction. Will try also.

Dinesh

On Apr 22, 5:23 pm, The Deep > wrote:
> On Apr 22, 9:03 am, Romanise > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
>
> > > On Apr 22, 4:18 am, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > > > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > > > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > > > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > > > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> > > > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > > > Anyone any idea?
>
> > > Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> > > "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> > > Or are you referring to the following?
>
> > >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> > > Dinesh
>
> > Yes it did look like that but were in bunches with root sticking out
> > from underneath.
>
> > The store owner said it is of cactus family.
>
> > Did not have any flowers.
>
> > Will look for receipie.
>
> > For Karela people apply salt and then squeeze water of to reduce
> > bitterness, but I prefer bitter.
>
> > The lady said do not apply salt.
>
> I guess it is called "indian cactus" (after a little web searching).
> Wouldn't have a clue on how to cook it. Maybe googling on the
> scientific name will lead you in the right direction. Will try also.
>
> Dinesh

Kenton in Harrow is populated largely by Gujaratis. Many large
vegetable and grocery shops. This one just came up. Like me others too
were curious. May be there are Pakistanis living around because the
lady said it is from Pakistan. It is not possible to like raw in any
quantity. It is not even as palatable straight as TURIYA - ridgegourd.

Next time when go to the store will be more inquisitive.

On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
> On Apr 22, 4:18 am, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > Anyone any idea?
>
> Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> Or are you referring to the following?
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> Dinesh

You could be right.

Went there just to buy some at £2.90 a kg. Not cheap when most Indian
vegetables sell at £2.18 a kg.

But had to try.

Will post the outcome here.

On Apr 23, 12:40 pm, Romanise > wrote:
> On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Apr 22, 4:18 > wrote:
>
> > > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> > > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > > Anyone any idea?
>
> > Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> > "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> > Or are you referring to the following?
>
> >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> >Dinesh
>
> You could be right.
>
> Went there just to buy some at £2.90 a kg. Not cheap when most Indian
> vegetables sell at £2.18 a kg.
>
> But had to try.
>
> Will post the outcome here.

Came out better than expected.

Cooked in Microwave.

Vegetable oil with mustard seeds, till seed pop. Then fried chickpeas
flower in the oil. Chirangley was cut lengthwise in about ecm long.
Expose inside as much as possible. 2 pods of garlick was there and
then red pepper, turmeric, corriader powder and salt. added some
water. let it cook for 7 minutes.

Went well with chapati as well as rice.

On Apr 27, 12:20*pm, Romanise > wrote:
> On Apr 23, 12:40 pm, Romanise > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
>
> > > On Apr 22, 4:18 > wrote:
>
> > > > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > > > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > > > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > > > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan..
>
> > > > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > > > Anyone any idea?
>
> > > Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> > > "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> > > Or are you referring to the following?
>
> > >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> > >Dinesh
>
> > You could be right.
>
> > Went there just to buy some at £2.90 a kg. Not cheap when most Indian
> > vegetables sell at £2.18 a kg.
>
> > But had to try.
>
> > Will post the outcome here.
>
> Came out better than expected.
>
> Cooked in Microwave.
>
> Vegetable oil with mustard seeds, till seed pop. Then fried chickpeas
> flower in the oil. Chirangley was cut lengthwise in about ecm long.
> Expose inside as much as possible. 2 pods of garlick was there and
> then red pepper, turmeric, corriader powder and salt. added some
> water. let it cook for 7 minutes.
>
> Went well with chapati as well as rice.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Glad to hear that it worked out for you. Since this 'edible cactus'
sounds intriguing, I'll be on the lookout in 'desi' grocery stores
here. Thanks for sharing.

Dinesh

On Apr 28, 2:35 am, The Deep > wrote:
> On Apr 27, 12:20 pm, Romanise > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Apr 23, 12:40 pm, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > > On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
>
> > > > On Apr 22, 4:18 > wrote:
>
> > > > > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > > > > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > > > > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > > > > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> > > > > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > > > > Anyone any idea?
>
> > > > Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> > > > "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> > > > Or are you referring to the following?
>
> > > >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> > > >Dinesh
>
> > > You could be right.
>
> > > Went there just to buy some at £2.90 a kg. Not cheap when most Indian
> > > vegetables sell at £2.18 a kg.
>
> > > But had to try.
>
> > > Will post the outcome here.
>
> > Came out better than expected.
>
> > Cooked in Microwave.
>
> > Vegetable oil with mustard seeds, till seed pop. Then fried chickpeas
> > flower in the oil. Chirangley was cut lengthwise in about ecm long.
> > Expose inside as much as possible. 2 pods of garlick was there and
> > then red pepper, turmeric, corriader powder and salt. added some
> > water. let it cook for 7 minutes.
>
> > Went well with chapati as well as rice.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Glad to hear that it worked out for you. Since this 'edible cactus'
> sounds intriguing, I'll be on the lookout in 'desi' grocery stores
> here. Thanks for sharing.
>
> Dinesh

Strangely no one from Pakistan has given any input. Freind stuck in
Karachi for unexplained reasons wrote saying no one know about such a
"cactus", though never had any experience life in desert.

On Apr 27, 10:42*pm, Romanise > wrote:
> On Apr 28, 2:35 am, The Deep > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Apr 27, 12:20 pm, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > > On Apr 23, 12:40 pm, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > > > On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
>
> > > > > On Apr 22, 4:18 > wrote:
>
> > > > > > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > > > > > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > > > > > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > > > > > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> > > > > > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > > > > > Anyone any idea?
>
> > > > > Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> > > > > "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> > > > > Or are you referring to the following?
>
> > > > >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> > > > >Dinesh
>
> > > > You could be right.
>
> > > > Went there just to buy some at £2.90 a kg. Not cheap when most Indian
> > > > vegetables sell at £2.18 a kg.
>
> > > > But had to try.
>
> > > > Will post the outcome here.
>
> > > Came out better than expected.
>
> > > Cooked in Microwave.
>
> > > Vegetable oil with mustard seeds, till seed pop. Then fried chickpeas
> > > flower in the oil. Chirangley was cut lengthwise in about ecm long.
> > > Expose inside as much as possible. 2 pods of garlick was there and
> > > then red pepper, turmeric, corriader powder and salt. added some
> > > water. let it cook for 7 minutes.
>
> > > Went well with chapati as well as rice.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Glad to hear that it worked out for you. Since this 'edible cactus'
> > sounds intriguing, I'll be on the lookout in 'desi' grocery stores
> > here. Thanks for sharing.
>
> > Dinesh
>
> Strangely no one from Pakistan has given any input. Freind stuck in
> Karachi for unexplained reasons wrote saying no one know about such a
> "cactus", though never had any experience life in desert.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

People are too busy finding out which slum is bigger - Dharavi or
Orangi. So no time for "pet kee pooja." :-)

If you are Gujarati, the steps that followed in preparing the dish
seem to be Surati style. True?

Cheers
Dinesh

On Apr 28, 7:02 am, The Deep > wrote:
> On Apr 27, 10:42 pm, Romanise > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Apr 28, 2:35 am, The Deep > wrote:
>
> > > On Apr 27, 12:20 pm, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > > > On Apr 23, 12:40 pm, Romanise > wrote:
>
> > > > > On Apr 22, 4:57 pm, The Deep > wrote:
>
> > > > > > On Apr 22, 4:18 > wrote:
>
> > > > > > > Of cactus family, between five to ten fingers, each two to four inches
> > > > > > > long, not more than a centimetre in diameter, slightly bitter.
>
> > > > > > > Shreeji Exotics Vegetables and grocery store owner Hindu lady said
> > > > > > > cook it like karela(bitter gourd), said grows in deserts of Pakistan.
>
> > > > > > > Does not show up in google search.
>
> > > > > > > Anyone any idea?
>
> > > > > > Are you sure it is from the cactus family? The one I am thinking of is
> > > > > > "nopales" (Spanish) or Indian Fig, which is flat. It is edible.
>
> > > > > > Or are you referring to the following?
>
> > > > > >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralluma_fimbriata
>
> > > > > >Dinesh
>
> > > > > You could be right.
>
> > > > > Went there just to buy some at £2.90 a kg. Not cheap when most Indian
> > > > > vegetables sell at £2.18 a kg.
>
> > > > > But had to try.
>
> > > > > Will post the outcome here.
>
> > > > Came out better than expected.
>
> > > > Cooked in Microwave.
>
> > > > Vegetable oil with mustard seeds, till seed pop. Then fried chickpeas
> > > > flower in the oil. Chirangley was cut lengthwise in about ecm long.
> > > > Expose inside as much as possible. 2 pods of garlick was there and
> > > > then red pepper, turmeric, corriader powder and salt. added some
> > > > water. let it cook for 7 minutes.
>
> > > > Went well with chapati as well as rice.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > Glad to hear that it worked out for you. Since this 'edible cactus'
> > > sounds intriguing, I'll be on the lookout in 'desi' grocery stores
> > > here. Thanks for sharing.
>
> > > Dinesh
>
> > Strangely no one from Pakistan has given any input. Freind stuck in
> > Karachi for unexplained reasons wrote saying no one know about such a
> > "cactus", though never had any experience life in desert.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> People are too busy finding out which slum is bigger - Dharavi or
> Orangi. So no time for "pet kee pooja." :-)
>
> If you are Gujarati, the steps that followed in preparing the dish
> seem to be Surati style. True?
>
> Cheers
> Dinesh

It must be a cultivated vegetable to get exported. Just interested in
how.

kuwar(-pata) variety gives flowers with long stems, when very young
people cook them, as a child, over sixty years back we used to eat it
occasionally, no one would collect them and put them for sale. They
resemble asparagus.

A variety of kuwar was widelu used to treat baLel(spleen ?) enlarged
due to high fever. There pulp inside the leaves was eaten with
jaggery.

I was born within boundaries of . a village next to Porbandar, have
lived in Surat for 20 years, but use of chickpeas flower is common at
least for Gujarat and Rajasthan. Jains would not use green vegetables
straight during monsoon months. I am told they cook chickpeas flower
mixed with stones as vegetable.

Yes there is a way people of north cook their vegetable that is
markedly different ( besides being cooked in mustard oil) which I
always felt attracted to but never has been able to get to know how.

Have seen in Haradwar cooked Karela on display. Pilgrims come there
with some cereal preparations that will not go bad for a week or so
but buy cooked vegetable from the stalls.