Bitter apple. Colocynth. A type of gourd about the size of an orange. It has bitter, spongy flesh and is used as a laxative. It is drought resistant so grows well in sandy places.
Clarified butter. Ghee can be made at home simply by keeping butter on a very low heat for a few hours until the water evaporates. The melted butter will keep indefinitely, will not change colour on use and can be re-used many times without changing its character.
Sponge gourd. Smooth gourd. When it is old it becomes coarse and fibrous and is actually the loofah you use in the bath. However, it is eaten throughout Asia. It resembles a cucumber when it is young and needs to be salted to reduce the bitterness before use.
Pigeon pea. Otherwise known as red gram or yellow lentil. These and chickpeas (US: garbanzo beans) are the most important in India.
