View source for Caigua

{{Taxobox
| image = Cyclanthera_pedata2.jpg
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Caigua''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Cucurbitales]]
| familia = [[Cucurbitaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Cyclanthera]]''
| species = '''''C. pedata'''''
| binomial = ''Cyclanthera pedata''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) Schrader
| synonyms = ''Momordica pedata'' <small>L.</small>
}}

The '''caigua''' (pronounced kai-wa) is a [[vine]] grown for its small [[fruit]], used as a [[vegetable]].  It is also known as '''caygua''', '''caihua''', '''cayua''', '''achocha''', '''achokcha''', '''slipper gourd''', '''lady's slipper''', '''sparrow gourd''' ({{zh-cp|c=小雀瓜|p=xiǎoquè guā}}), '''stuffing cucumber''', or '''korila'''.

Extracts from the fruit may have medicinal value.

== Origin and distribution ==

Likely domesticated in the [[Andes]], the caigua is now grown many parts of [[Central America]] and [[South America]], as well as parts of the [[Eastern Hemisphere]] tropics.

== Food uses ==

The immature fruits may be eaten raw or pickled.  Unlike many cucurbitaceous fruits, the caigua become quite hollow as it matures, and the mature fruit is often eaten stuffed.  The young [[shoot]]s and [[leaf|leaves]] may also be eaten as [[greens (vegetable)|greens]].

== External links ==

{{unimelb|Cyclanthera.html}}
* [http://solanaseeds.netfirms.com/legumes1.html Photo at Solana Seeds]
* [http://www.flower.vn.ua/lst/plod/o1.htm Photos from the Ukraine]

[[Category:Cucurbitaceae]]
[[Category:Vegetable-like fruits]]

{{vegetable-stub}}