THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (NNN-Bernama) -- After toys and plastic utensils, it is now the turn of cucumbers from China to hit the local market in south Indian state Kerala, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Chinese cucumbers, with unusually round shape, bright yellow colour and sweet-and-sour flavour, are largely imported and sold in the vegetable markets in the state instead of the domestic golden cucumber.
Local shopkeepers here said Chinese cucumbers are imported largely in view of the Vishu festival, to be celebrated in the state on Saturday.
A harvest festival of farmers, Vishu is known for its unique ritual called 'kani' in which all kinds of vegetables and other auspicious things are displayed in front of a lamp to bring prosperity to the family.
Cucumber is an inevitable item in the 'Vishu kani' and rustic golden cucumbers, known as 'kani vellarikka' in local parlance, were mainly used for it so far.
'Bangalore Matthan', a pumpkin variety from neighbouring city Bangalore, also used to find place among 'kani' vegetables.
However, scarcity of domestic cucumber varieties had opened gates for Chinese cucumbers in the state, said Ramesh, a local shopkeeper in Chalai market here.
"It (Chinese cucumber) is good to look and tastes better than local golden cucumber," he added. -- NNN-BERNAMA
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