bitter gourd bugs

These fellow really have a feast on my bitter gourd plants. If you look carefully you can see 2 generations there.

Only good thing is that they dont fly much so its easier to guide them onto my hand and then feed them to the fish.

bitter gourd babies

 Just noticed 2 little fellows...

Pretty flower...

trying bitter gourd again

I had reasonable success with bitter gourd before. The hassle was keeping pests at bay coz they attacked the leaves and fruit. The leaves were the main target. Here is a new juvenile...

 

bitter gourd ripens fast

I couldn't see to the garden for 2 days and this was what I harvested from the bitter gourd vine. Thank God no insects got to it.

Luckily it wasn't mushy, just slightly on some parts. Most of it was still useable. Did the usual coat with salt for an hour, then rinse. I chucked it into a hot pan, then added garlic. A bit of soy sauce and (homemade pineapple) vinegar for flavour... I like the mix of 3 flavours... bitter, salty and sour. And finally when dry/fried enough, scrambled in an egg. 

Fish pond water must be slowly paying off

The fish pond water is the main source of nutrients for the plants. The brinjal has been fruiting more and slightly bigger too. 

Ignore the bitter gourd. That fellow is big coz my expert neighbour takes care of it. 

Bitter Gourd attack

 Perfectly nice looking bitter gourd...

Coz we dont use pesticides, you really have to inspect closely. The yellow bits are holes where some creature has laid its eggs and larvae will be soon hatching and devouring the insides.

When cutting up the gourd, I just compost all the yellow bits.

Harvested bitter gourd a bit too slow

Today's harvest...

Yellow means over-ripe

The flesh is a bit mushy/crumbly in the yellow areas

But definitely still edible.