Stock Photo - Coccinia grandis Ivy gourd (Cucurbitaceae) Indian Ivy Gourd is a widely consumed vegetable, available in India through out the year. these cute looking small, stubby, green colored vegetables which grow aggressively on vines are used to prepare delicious stuffed curries, stews, pickles, salads and stir fries. Scientific Name: Coccinia Grandis, Ivy Gourd, Gentleman´s Toes (English) Dondakaya, Dondakai (Telugu) Tondakayi (Kannada) Vargoli (Hindi) Tindora, Ghiloda (Gujarati) Tondli, Tendli (Marathi) Kovakkai (Malayalam) Kovaikai (Tamil) Goli (Rajasthani) Kundru (Utter Pradesh) Dondakaya or Tondli is a small oblong shaped, smooth skinned, light green to dark green shade, abundantly available Indian vegetable. Has a mild sour flavor with a crunchy juicy texture. Has medicinal value and used widely in Traditional Thai and Ayurvedic Medicine. Contains beta_carotene and a good source of protein and fiber. Medical Research suggests that gherkins may suppress the activity of certain enzymes involved in glucose production, such as G_6_phosphatase and helps control diabetes. Pune, Maharashtra, India.