Saturday, June 20, 2009

Labu Siam, Jipang



A relative of the cucumber, melon, and squash of the cucurbitaceae family, labu siam or jipang (sechium edule) as it is called locally is a very popular vegetable here.

This vegetable was reportedly brought to Indonesia by the Ductch from Thailand, and hence its name "labu siam" (Siamese pumpkin/gourd).

Labu siam/jipang is the fruit of a vine plant. The size of the fruit is about 10 to 20 centimeters. It grows in many parts of the world and is called with different names. In English it is generally called chayote, cho-cho, mirliton, or vegetable pear. In French, it is called christophine. What is it called in your language?

11 comments:

Dina said...

I have never seen such a vegetable!

Unknown said...

This is not a common vege in my town.
Never see this onsale here.Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Apparently my father's in law planted with these kind of labu siam. Here, we the villagers called them 'Lejet' in Bahasa Sunda. The taste of this vegetable was plump and a rather sweet. We most favorite them when having a meal with a hot 'Sambel Tarasi' and other fresh vegetables. Anyone who haven't seen or tasted this vegetable were too sorry. Come and visit then our farm at Desa Pasirlangu Kecamatan Cisarua Kabupaten Bandung Barat.

Fadhli said...

Hmm.. I never try that... hahahaha...

Laurie Allee said...

Yet another interesting food that I have never seen here!

I've missed a lot of your blog lately, Eki. I'm looking forward to catching up!

Jane Hards Photography said...

I seem to echo everyone else here but another new exotic vegetable to me. Such a range of local foods makes me so envious of your choice. Gorgeous lush green.

ekoepe said...

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Unknown said...

This is new to me. Great shot!

Eki, a CDP blogger is missing! Please visit my page. Thank you.

Jim said...

We call them Chokos in Australia. They were quite common in everyone's suburban backyards when I was growing up and probably still are in many of them. My parents gave ours to our neighbours who liked to slice them, cover them in flour and fry them in a pan.

ASIA GASTRONOMICA said...

I know it as an Indonesian vegetable. I have recently eaten it as a, so called, sayur. It's an Indonesian vegetable dish in a thin sauce, like a soup.

Serena said...

This vegetable is called "sayote" in the Philippines. It can be mixed with many dishes.

layana