Tinda (Indian Round Gourd)

What Is Tinda (Indian Round Gourd)?

Tinda is a small, round summer squash resembling a green apple, commonly used in North Indian and Pakistani cuisine (Praecitrullus fistulosus). It is also known in English as “apple gourd.”

Botanically, it is more closely related to watermelon (genus Citrullus) than to common culinary squash. Its interior is pale greenish-white, spongy, and contains many flat seeds; its flavor is mildly sweet and neutral, and like many other squashes it readily absorbs spices.

Tinda Nutrition Facts

Raw tinda provides about 20 kcal per 100 g; it contains fiber and vitamin C. Values are approximate.

How to Eat Tinda

Tinda can be included as part of a balanced diet as a low-calorie vegetable; it is always eaten cooked.

This is general information; tinda is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Tinda

Good tinda is small and young (larger ones become tough and their seeds turn woody), with a light green, firm, glossy skin. Avoid yellowish, overgrown ones or those with wrinkled skin.

• It should be small and young (larger ones become tough)
• The skin should be light green, firm, and glossy
• It should not be wrinkled or bruised

How to Store Tinda

Tinda can be stored in the refrigerator for 4–5 days; keeping it in a cool place helps preserve its freshness.

Using Tinda in the Kitchen

In North Indian cuisine, tinda is commonly sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and spices as “tinda sabzi,” or stuffed by hollowing it out and filling it with a ground-meat mixture.

Is Tinda the Same as Zucchini?

No; they are different species. Although it resembles some summer squashes in appearance and texture, tinda is botanically more closely related to watermelon, while zucchini belongs to the culinary squash genus Cucurbita.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tinda be eaten raw?

It is usually eaten cooked; raw, it is firm and neutral in flavor, while cooking improves how it absorbs spices and enhances its flavor.

How is tinda cooked?

Cut it in two or four pieces and sauté it in a pan with onions, tomatoes, and spices such as turmeric and cumin, or boil and mash it.

Is tinda available in Türkiye?

It is not common; it may be available seasonally at Indian or Pakistani grocery stores and markets.