5 Creative Ways to Use Ripe Ivy Gourd Fruits (ตำลึงสุก) in Thai Vegetarian Cooking

Here are 5 creative ways to use ripe ivy gourd (ตำลึงสุก) in Thai vegetarian cooking: Stir-fried with Fermented Soybeans, Tamarind Soup, Chili Dip, Spicy Thai-style Salad, and Fried Rice. These red, sweet fruits are rich in lycopene.

Ivy gourd — ตำลึง (tamleung) — Coccinia grandis

Ripe red ivy gourd fruits (ตำลึงสุก) are often overlooked in Thai cooking, but they can be used creatively in vegetarian dishes. While the green fruits and leaves are more common, the red fruits have a mildly sweet, tomato-like taste and soft texture, making them suitable for fusion or traditional-style dishes.

Here are a few vegetarian Thai-inspired ideas:

---

🔸 1. ตำลึงสุกผัดเต้าเจี้ยว (Stir-fried Ripe Ivy Gourd with Fermented Soybeans)

A twist on classic stir-fries:

• Sauté garlic, fermented soybean (เต้าเจี้ยว), and a bit of chili.

• Add ripe ivy gourd fruits just at the end so they warm without turning mushy.

• Finish with Thai basil or chopped coriander.

---

🔸 2. ต้มส้มตำลึงสุก (Tamarind Soup with Ripe Ivy Gourd)

• Make a light tamarind-based broth with lemongrass, shallots, and galangal.

• Add ripe ivy gourd fruits, tofu cubes, and perhaps green papaya or young banana stem.

• Garnish with sawtooth coriander.

---

🔸 3. น้ำพริกตำลึงสุก (Chili Dip with Ripe Ivy Gourd)

Mash roasted red ivy gourd with:

• Dried chilies, garlic, shallots, roasted peanuts or sesame

• A touch of lime and salt
  Use it as a nam phrik-like dip for blanched vegetables.

---

🔸 4. ยำตำลึงสุก (Spicy Thai-style Salad with Ripe Ivy Gourd)

• Combine ripe fruits with cherry tomatoes, roasted peanuts, shredded carrot, chili, lime juice, and vegan fish sauce.

• Add fried tofu or grilled mushrooms for protein.

---

🔸 5. ข้าวคลุกตำลึงสุก (Ripe Ivy Gourd Fried Rice)

• Mash some of the ripe fruits slightly and stir into jasmine or brown rice with garlic, spring onions, and soy sauce.

• Add chopped long beans, tofu, and Thai basil.

---

The fruit is rich in lycopene and antioxidants, so it’s a nutritional bonus. Just be mindful: use only fully ripe fruits (deep red and soft), as partially ripe ones may be bitter.

Taste the magic of homemade Thai cuisine - purely plant-based! 🌱 We create our dishes with care using freshly picked ingredients from our Hua Hin organic garden. Perfect for those who love bold, authentic vegetarian flavors. Get delivery today https://sites.google.com/view/huahinservices/our-services/delivery-authentic-thai-dishes

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and natural pigment that gives red and pink fruits their vibrant color—especially tomatoes, watermelon, pink guava, red grapefruit, and papaya. It belongs to the carotenoid family but doesn’t convert to vitamin A like beta-carotene does.

Key Benefits:

• Heart Health: Helps reduce LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.

• 🧠 Anti-Inflammatory & Antioxidant: Protects cells from damage and may lower the risk of certain cancers, especially prostate and breast.

• 🌞 Skin Protection: Supports skin health and may help shield against sun-related damage.

• 👁️ Eye Health: Helps reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Best Sources:

• Cooked tomatoes (e.g., in sauces) provide more bioavailable lycopene than raw.

• Watermelon, pink guava, papaya, and red bell peppers are also excellent sources.

Lycopene is fat-soluble, so consuming it with a little oil—like olive oil—boosts absorption.