Wild and wonderful monsoon veggies of Goa

Arti Das

IT’S EVERYWHERE

The tender leaves of taikilo (Cassia tora) are the most common edible monsoon greens in Goa. This plant is easily found along roadsides and open green spaces.

Goa | monsoon greens | vegetables | taikilo | Cassia tora | Photo: Arti Das

SHOOTING STAR

Kille, or tender bamboo shoots, are a seasonal delicacy added to curries or pickled.

Goa | monsoon greens | vegetables | Kille | tender bamboo shoots | Photo: Arti Das

CURRY FLAVOUR

Ghodka, or bibayo, are germinated cashewnut cotyledons. These are eaten as a snack, or added to curries to impart a nutty flavour, similar to that of a tender cashewnut.

Goa | monsoon greens | vegetables | Ghodka | bibayo | cashew | Photo: Arti Das

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL

The tender leaves of wild elephant foot yam is locally known as luti, and is cooked just like a green, leafy vegetable.

Goa | monsoon greens | vegetables | elephant foot yam | luti | Photo: Arti Das

HANDLE WITH CARE

Tero (Colocasia esculenta), found around wetlands and open spaces, is used as a vegetable preparation. Souring agents such as hog plum are added during the cooking process so as to reduce the itching sensation caused by the leaves.

Goa | monsoon greens | vegetables | Tero | Colocasia esculenta | Photo: Arti Das

SHOWER FLOWER

Flowers of the dragon stalk yam or shevla (Amorphophallus commutatus) are a common sight around forested areas after the first rains, and are eaten as a vegetable.

Goa | monsoon greens | vegetables | shevla | Amorphophallus commutatus | Photo: Arti Das

FROM THE FOREST

Shirmundli is a wild creeper found in forested areas of Goa. Its tender leaves are consumed as a vegetable at this time of the year in rural parts of the State.

Goa | monsoon greens | vegetables | Shirmundli | Photo: Arti Das

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