Pumpkin plant from Southeast Asia, which is mainly eaten as a vegetable there and also in India, namely the young, fast-growing tendrils with ivy-like leaves. The small, cucumber-like fruits can also be eaten cooked or raw, ripe or unripe.
 In India the use of the green fruits (Indian gherkins) in curries is very popular and widespread, while in Thailand the young, approx. 40-50 cm long shoots are a very popular green vegetable. They are particularly rich in vitamin A, and are fried, steamed or boiled in rice and pasta dishes as well as in soups.