Ash gourd, also known as Benincasa hispida, winter melon, wax gourd, white pumpkin, and Chinese watermelon, is a fruit native to parts of Southern Asia. It grows on a vine and matures into a round or oblong melon that’s approximately the same size and color as a watermelon. Once ripe, the fruit’s fuzzy exterior morphs into a powdery ash-colored coating that gives this fruit its name.

Ash Gourd is a good source of flavonoids and carotenes, two antioxidants believed to help protect your body against cell damage and certain conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It also helps in digestion.

Ash gourd comprises 96% water and is very low in calories, fat, protein, and carbs. It remains rich in fiber . It also contains smaller amounts of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese, as well as various other B vitamins.

Refrigerate.