Turai

Ridge Gourd also known as Luffa acutangula,Turai, Turiya, grows in Asia, Africa, India, China, Philippines, and the Middle East.

Luffa acutangula is commercially grown for its unripe fruits as a vegetable. Mature fruits are used as natural cleaning sponges. Its fruit slightly resembles a cucumber or zucchini with ridges.
Ridge Gourd is commonly used in Asian cooking and for healing many health problems.

Ridge Gourd is a very healthy veggie because it contains very few calories (only 40 calories per cup) and thus it works well for weight loss. Along with eating other high fiber low calorie foods a person can lose up to 2 pounds a week eating ridge gourd. Ridge gourd creates a full feeling and keeps a person from eating constantly.

Ridge Gourds have a mild flavor and go well with all kinds of spices. They can also be stuffed and baked in the oven, dipped in batter and fried. They are commonly used in Chinese, Asian, and African dishes such as stir-fries, soups, curries, and stews. Ridge Gourds can also be made into chutney, cooked with peanuts, and made into a wonderful cooling salads when cut up tomatoes and cucumbers.

Ridge Gourds can be found at Asian, Indian, and Indonesian grocery stores.Also if Ridge Gourds are dried the resulting luffa sponge is wonderful for exfoliating dead skin.