Vellarika
Scientific name: Cucumis sativus
About:
Vellarika is easy to grow and is found in varying shapes, colours and sizes under diverse climatic conditions. This fruit generally features crispy, dark-green skin, and moisture-rich flesh within. Its small and edible seeds are majorly concentrated near its core. Vellarika is best harvested young and when it just short of reaching maturity. If not harvested, the fruit may continue to grow and the skin turn yellow and tuff, and its seeds become inedible and hard.
Considered a good source of dietary fibre, it is effective in reducing constipation and offers protection against colon cancers. It is also an excellent source of potassium that keeps the total blood pressure in check and counteracts the effects of sodium, thereby keeping the heartbeat normal, regular consumption of Vellarika has a major role to play in controlling ageing considering that it consists of unique antioxidants. This fruit is also effective for weight reduction and bone strengthening
Storage:
Choosing young and immature Vellarika ensures that it is edible enough. However it is essential to store them properly since they do not have an extended shelf life. All that you need to do is store in the refrigerator where temperature is set at high relative humidity. This ensures that it stays fresh for several days.
Taste and use:
When Vellarika is eaten at its young and tender form, it taste sweet and has a crunchy texture that almost makes it a neutral flavour. This fruit can often be eaten raw in the form of salads or juice, or used in making soups and pickle.
Nutritional facts:
100 gm of Vellarika long has the following nutritional value –
- Energy – 15 kcal
- Protein – 0.65 g
- Dietary fibre – 1.5 g
- Cholesterol – 0 mg
- Carbohydrates – 3.63 g
- Total fat – 0.11 g
- Pyridoxine – 0.040 mg
- Folates – 7 µg
- Niacin – 0.098 mg
- Riboflvin – 0.033 mg
- Thiamin – 0.027 mg
- Vitamin A – 105 IU
- Vitamin C – 2.8 mg
- Vitamin E – 0.03 mg
- Vitamin K – 16.4 µg
- Calcium – 16 mg
- Sodium – 2 mg
- Potassium – 147 mg
- Magnesium – 13 mg
- Zinc – 0.20 mg
- Iron – 0.20 mg
- Copper – 0.034 mg
- Manganese – 0.079 mg
- Phosphorous – 24 mg
- Carotene-β – 45 µg
- Luteinzeaxanthin – 23 µg
- Cryptoxanthin-β – 26 µg