Tong Gwa or Chinese Winter Melon 'Bounty' F1 / 'Blue Hill' F

Creeping or climbing plant, for cultivation under glass. Produces pale, blue-green, somewhat to quite elongated fruits, often covered with a characteristic waxy layer when ripe. Can be stored for a very long time. Outdoor cultivation is also possible, but the fruit remains smaller and greener. For soups and stir-fries, look for the many recipes in oriental cuisine. Wikipedia, for example, lists the following uses: "In China and Taiwan, the winter melon is used to make soup in the same way as daikon radishes, and is often combined with pork or pork/beef bones. In North India and Pakistan, the vegetable is used to prepare a candy called Petha. In South Indian cuisine, it is used to make curries. Occasionally, it is used to produce a fruit drink which has a very distinctive taste. It is usually sweetened with caramelized sugar, which enhances the taste. In Southeast Asia, the drink is widely marketed as winter melon tea. In China, the winter melon is dried and sweetened and eaten at New Year festivals. In China and Taiwan, it is one of the basis of mooncake for the yearly Moon Festival."
TONG GWA IS ALSO USED AS A ROOTSTOCK FOR MELONS!

Names:
Latin: Benincasa hispida
Dutch: Chinese winter melon
Also: Wax Gourd. Dong Gua
English: (Stewed) Winter Melon, Wax Gourd