The monsoon season brings with it a variety of seasonal vegetables and wild food items. Among these are certain vegetables that are not easily available throughout the market year-round and appear only for a brief period. In the markets of Bharatpur, a special wild vegetable is currently drawing the attention of residents. It is known as bitter kakoda. Due to its distinct taste and limited availability, this vegetable has become a major favorite among local people.
How This Vegetable Differs from Ordinary Kakoda
Bitter kakoda is slightly different from the common variety of kakoda. In terms of shape and texture, it looks very similar to regular kakoda, but its taste is significantly more bitter than the standard version. This bitterness is considered its greatest characteristic. In rural and local areas, people view this as a special vegetable of the rainy season. Many people recognize it as a natural vegetable that grows spontaneously around forests and fields.
Bitter kakoda starts appearing in the market only after the onset of rains, and its season does not last very long. This is why there is visible enthusiasm among people to purchase it as soon as it arrives in the marketplace. There are many families who wait for this vegetable to hit the market every year. According to vegetable vendors, due to its limited availability, customers prefer to buy it the moment they lay eyes on it.
The method of preparing a dish with bitter kakoda is also quite unique. To reduce its bitter taste, it is cleaned and chopped, and many people cook it thoroughly with spices. Prepared with onions, spices, and oil, its flavor becomes quite distinct and delightful. This is the reason why this wild kakoda, which tastes bitter at first, is greatly appreciated by people after it is cooked.
Currently, along with the rains, bitter kakoda has started reaching the vegetable markets of Bharatpur and is emerging as the prime choice for buyers. Although its supply in the market is limited, the number of people purchasing it is quite good. Despite being bitter in taste, when prepared with spices, this vegetable tastes extremely delicious. This is the exact reason why people eagerly await this wild vegetable that is available for only a few days in a year and rush to the market to enjoy its taste as soon as the season begins.
