What is the spring gourd head?

When the east wind awakens the earth with the warmth of spring, and when all kinds of flowers are vying for beauty, have you accidentally discovered a strange plant? Its stem resembles a gourd, but it is different from others. ? It is the "gourd head born in spring".

This name is very interesting when you hear it. This is not its official name, but a common name widely circulated among the people. Botanists prefer to call it "spring roll" because its stems and leaves can be rolled into a tube shape in early spring, resembling a spring roll.

When you first see the spring gourd head, you will be amazed by its peculiar shape. Its stem is a masterpiece of nature, as if carefully crafted by a skilled craftsman. From the root to the top, the stem gradually expands, forming a large gourd-shaped sphere covered with fine small protrusions, like a pockmarked gourd.

The gourd that grows its head in spring is not ordinary, its internal structure is very unique. Unlike real gourds, which are hollow and diaphragm-like, the spherical interior of the spring gourd head is solid, rich in starch, and is a natural storehouse used by plants to store nutrients and water.

Although it has a strange appearance, the spring gourd head is not an exotic flower*, it is an ordinary leguminous plant. Its value cannot be underestimated. Its tender stems and leaves are edible and rich in protein, dietary fiber and various nutrients. In the past, spring gourd heads were a common dish on many farm tables.

Nowadays, gourd heads for spring growth still have a wide range of uses. Its stems and leaves can be used to make salads, soups and stuffings, and the young stems can also be pickled into sauerkraut, which is sour and delicious. The spring gourd head also has strong medicinal value. Its rhizomes, leaves and seeds can be used as medicine, and have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain.

If you come across a spring gourd head in the countryside, you might as well pick it home and use it to make a delicious dish. You can not only enjoy the breath of spring, but also taste the natural deliciousness, why not?