Ash gourd – ash less | Ilavan kumbalam

Ash-less Ash Gourd (Ilavan Kumbalam) is a smooth-skinned variety of winter melon without the waxy ‘ash’ coating, producing large, pale-green, cooling fruits. A South Indian favourite, it’s used in olan, sambar, curries, juices and Ayurvedic preparations. The vigorous vines are prolific in warm climates. Sow seeds in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil, provide a strong trellis or let it trail, and harvest sizeable fruits in about 90–120 days. Mild, nutritious and long-storing, this ash gourd is a rewarding, high-yield crop for home gardens and terraces.