This humble gourd ( Nethi beerakaya in Telugu) is less frequently seen in vegetable markets. But it can easily be grown in kitchen gardens. It is more or less like ridge gourd . This vegetable has got many medicinal benefits especially for diabetics. You can prepare delicious recipes with it like chutney, snacks like fritters, curries etc. Here iam preparing tasty kurma with it which can be served with chapathi/ poori/rice varieties etc.
Ingredients:
Sponge gourd – 300 Gms, ( washed, peeled lightly and cut into 1/2to 3/4″ cubes),
Onion – 2,medium,sliced fine,
Green chilli – 2,each slit vertically into two,
Salt,
Oil – 3 Tablespoons,
Dhania powder – 1 Tablesp,
Jeera powder – 1/8 Tsp,
Red chilli powder – 3/4 Tsp,
Haldi – 1/8 Tsp
Garam masala – 1/2 Tsp,
Ginger garlic paste – 1 Tsp,
Fine paste prepared by grinding 1 tablesp.of fresh/desiccated coconut,5 cashews and 1/2 tsp of khuskhus,
Sounf – A pinch,optional
Chopped coriander leaves – 1 Tablesp,
Tomato puree – 1 Tablesp/ one medium tomato chopped fine,
Cloves – 3, cardamom – 1, Cinnamon – 1/4″pieces two,
Method:
1).Heat oil, add cloves, a pinch of sounf, cardamom,cinnamon and fry for few seconds. Add onion, chilli and fry till onion becomes soft. Add ginger garlic paste, fry till raw smell disappears,.
2).Add tomato puree, fry for a minute. Add dhania powder, jeera powder,red chilli powder, haldi, cook for a minute.
3).Add gourd pieces, garam masala,salt, stir well and cover it with lid.Let it cook under low heat for 2 o 3 minutes.Add 3 to 4 table spoons of water and again allow to Cook under low heat till the vegetable becomes tender.
4).Now add the ground paste along with 150 ml.of water. Let it cook for 2 more minutes under low heat and remove. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
5).Serve with roti items/ rice preparations.
Tip:
Best side dish for diabetics and dieters.