Hi Allen, I went out of my way to track down and grow bitter melon for my husband who has a mild diabetes. he tryed it but wouldn't eat it, the word bitter is in there for a reason. does anyone know of a reciepe to make it paletable? I dried it ,to make a powder that i can give him in capsels, but don't know if that would help or how much he should take. one thing you gardeners out there should grow it, if nothing else for the amazing show it preforms when the fruit ripens ., about a different melon, we just ate the best melon I have ever tasted.,JUst coming in in late sept.We've saved these seed about 5 years, .They originally came from Southern EXposure seed exchange,which specializes in mid Atlantic open pollinated seed. this cantaloupe is called Edisto. Wow WE . had a bonfire, watched the exinox moon come up.. feels good to greet the fall. :)Sharon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Allan Balliett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2002 6:32 PM Subject: Re: Diabetes Dietary Help
> >BITTER MELON is available in Asian and Farmer's markets and in a supplement > >form. Technically a summer squash rather than a melon, its lumpy, ridged > >skin and flesh are the color of pale jade and it's similar in size and shape > >to a cucumber. Bitter melon is a traditional diabetic remedy throughout the > >Far East. In clinical tests, bitter melon inhibits glucose absorption, > >increases insulin flow and has insulin-like effects. > > I took some of Seeds of Changes lemon cucumbers as a gift to my > favorite Asian restaurant. They said 'Melon, not cucumber.' I said > 'No, you heathens, this is a cucumber, that's the irony!' their chef, > with a cleaver in one hand and a LONG lemon cucumber in the other > came out and said, through a translator: these two are the same. They > are both MELON' > > At that point, I said 'well, fancy that, what a fool I've been!' > > I'm wondering, though, if the lemon cucumber were not 'sold as' a > melon in the rest of the world (the ball nature being the uniqueness > of this variety) > > I am aware, of course, that the cucumber is a variety of summer squash. > > -Allan > >
