RIDGEGOURD SUBZI

I have heard about ridgegourd peel chutney.  To try this I bought ridgegourd otherwise, we never used to eat this vegetable.  Slowly, I started developing taste for this, but not my family members.  However, I tried subzi, paratha etc. and was a hit as my family members did not understand how I made parathas and never bothered to tell them.

Since it is very spongy, easy to cook and tasty too.  Before writing the recipe, would like you all to read the information, health benefits of this vegetable and  enjoy this delicious dish for chapati, roti and with rice too.

ridgegourd subzi, turai subzi

Ridge gourd is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in dietary fibre, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron, magnesium and manganese. The nutritional value of gourd makes it suitable for maintaining optimum health, weight lose. It has excellent cooling properties. Ridge gourd is a powerhouse of nutrients and are rich is dietary fiber, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamine, iron and magnesium. It is also low in fat and calories. Being low in saturated fat and cholesterol make it the ideal choice for those who wish to lose weight. It also has very high water content, making it a very low calorie vegetable (only 60 calories in 100 gm of cooked ridge gourd).

This vegetable has excellent blood purifying properties which helps to purify, restore and nourish liver protecting it from alcohol intoxication. Cellulose in ridge gourd helps to overcome constipation and also aids in curing piles. A glass of Ridge gourd juice mixed with other healthy vegetables in the morning can help to strengthen your immune system against any infection.


Ingredients:

1/4 kg ridge gourd
1 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp chilli powder (if you want more add according to your requirement)
1-2 garlic cloves chopped
1/4 tsp ginger paste
2 tbsp chana dal (optional)
1 tomato finely chopped
1 onion finely chopped
a pinch of turmeric powder
salt as per taste
1 tsp oil
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
chopped coriander leaves for garnishing.

Method:

1.  Peel the ridge gourd (the skin can be used for ridge gourd peel  chutney) and cut into roundels or cubes.
2. Soak the chana dal for 4 hours (if you are using)
3. Heat oil in kadai, add the cumin seeds.
4.  when it crackles, add the onion and saute till half done.
5.  add the tomatoes, turmeric powder, garlic cloves, ginger paste and cook till the tomatoes are soft.
6.  add salt and the chana dal, cover and cook, if need add little water.  or you can cook the dal separately and add.   when the dal is cooked, add the ridge gourd, cover and cook till it is soft.
7.  Serve hot with rice, roti, chapati garnished with coriander leaves and dash of lime juice.

Note:  If you like bit sweetness, can add little sugar or jaggery.