Gilki Turai / Sponge Gourd (Luffa)

English Name: Sponge Gourd / Luffa/ Egyptian Luffa

Common Hindi Name: Gilki / Chikni Turai

• Luffa is 1-2ft long, cylindrical, smooth skinned gourd. The interior contains white flesh.
• It is an annual climbing vine, grown both for its edible fruits and as a source of sponges.
• The young fruits, when small, (around 6 inches) are cooked like other vegetables. They are also used in soup or stew.
• The older fruits produce a fibrous vascular system. This fibrous structure is bleached and dried to be used as a sponge. The sponge can be used as bathroom sponge, packing material, for making crafts, and as filters. It is environmentally safe, biodegradable and a renewable resource.