AMPALAYA

ampalaya
bitter melon


ampalaya
bitter gourd


dahon ng ampalaya
leaves of the bitter melon


scientific name: Momordica charantia



The plant is a vine with tendrils.  The fruit is notable for having green, thickly wrinkled skin and tasting very bitter.  A popular Filipino preparation of ampalaya in the Philippines is to stir-fry slices of the gourd with ground beef.


Ampalaya may also included in the Filipino dish pinakbet, a vegetable stew that includes bagoong as a main flavoring.