Ash Gourd Curry Recipe is an easy and beautifully spicy recipe. This Indian curry, or kadhi, is made using fresh ash gourd peeled and diced into pieces.
The vegetables are cut into the same size to be cooked evenly during the cooking time. Though it’s a simple dish, it tastes mouthwateringly delicious every time.
Ash Gourd Curry Recipe is one of my favorite recipes to make on a weeknight because it takes minutes to prepare with minimal effort but provides great flavor.
How to make Ash Gourd Curry Recipe
Ingredients:
- Ash Gourd – 250 gms, peeled and diced
- Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp
- Coriander Powder – 1 tsp
- Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 tsp
- Red Chilli Powder – 3 tbsp or to taste
- Cumin Seeds – 1/4 tsp
- Mustard Seeds – 1/4 tsp
- Oil – 3 tbsp + for shallow frying the onions.
Method:
Step 1: In a pan, heat oil. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let them crackle.
Step 2: Add flaky red chili, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and garam masala powder and mix well.
Step 3: Add chopped onions, curry leaves, and fry for 4-5 minutes until the onion is soft and then add in the diced ash gourd pieces and salt to taste. Mix well again, adding some water if necessary to prevent sticking of the gourd pieces on the pan.
Step 4: Cover and cook for about 5-10 minutes until the ash gourd pieces are cooked.
Step 5: Add water if required to prevent the curry from getting too dry.
Step 6: Add garam masala powder and remove from flame.
Step 7: Serve hot with roti/naan/paratha.
Nutrition facts of Ash Gourd Curry Recipe
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 98 |
| Fat | 2g |
| Total Carbs | 12g |
| Sugar | 2.3g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Fiber | 4.4g |
Best 6 Health Benefits of Ash Gourd Curry Recipe
1. Ash Gourd is a great source of dietary fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in your digestive tract, which slows down the movement of food and stimulates peristaltic motion of the intestines, which helps in easy digestion.
2. Its juice helps you get rid of urinary tract infections and cures fever and sore throat. Ash gourd can also be used topically on burns or skin rashes to speed up healing.
3. It helps to get rid of insomnia and dizziness.
4. Aids in reducing the risk of cancer.
5. The rich potassium source can help prevent muscle cramps, heart attacks, and stroke.
6. Boosts your immunity for the entire year and protects you from coughs, colds, flu, and infections caused due to dry weather conditions during winters or pollution during summers.
Ash gourd curry without coconut
I have used fresh coconut instead of coconut milk to make the dish lighter and a little sweeter. The sauce is cooked in the oil and then added to new or canned pumpkin (as in India).
Ash Gourd Curry Recipe uses coconut oil because it gives the dish a nice taste, but olive oil or sunflower oil can be used instead.
Preparing this dish without adding any sweetener makes it vegan without fail. It also works beautifully with other vegetables like mushrooms or capsicum too.
Ash gourd Recipes Hebbars Kitchen
A variety of gourd, ash gourd, or winter melon is commonly used in cooking, as it is mostly available in the market throughout the year. French beans and Ash Gourd Dal are the popular vegetarian dishes of Andhra.
Ash gourd Curry Kerala style
In Kerala style, Ash Gourd Curry Recipe is usually boiled or roasted – either in its entirety or cut into half – and eaten with rice. The other way of consuming ash gourd is by making a vegetable stew, including coconut milk, pepper, etc.
Is It Suitable For Pregnant Women?
Prepared from peppers, chili powder, and other ingredients, the spices in the food can cause allergies in pregnant women. The consumption of ash gourd and its seeds is not recommended as they are toxic.
Is It A Good Choice For Diabetic Patients?
Consumption of Ash Gourd Curry Recipe and its seeds is not advisable for people with diabetes as they may result in excessively high blood sugar levels.
Is It Suitable For Heart Patients?
Patients suffering from heart problems should avoid ash gourd as it may cause heartburn, constipation, and acidity.
Is It Gluten-Free?
Ash Gourd Curry Recipe is a gluten-free food; you can eat it in any meal plan. But cooking utensils should be cleaned properly with soap and water.
Is It Safe For Kids?
Ash Gourd Curry Recipe should not be given to toddlers below two years of age as it may cause diarrhea, gas, and indigestion. If consumed, give in moderation as consumption of excess ash gourd may lead to nausea and vomiting.
Conclusion
Ash Gourd Curry Recipe is a popular vegetarian dish and is easy to prepare. This curry tastes great with plain rice or roti/chapati.
It also goes great with moong dal khichdi and milk rice (puliyogare). I hope you try out this recipe in my kitchen and enjoy eating it with your family.
FAQ
What can you do with ash gourd?
Ash gourd can be eaten in myriad ways. It can be sliced and eaten raw or boiled, fried or sauteed, or even stuffed with food items like rice. It is also used in the preparation of soups and stir-fries. Additional recipes for the vegetable include ash gourd soup, ash gourd chips, and ash gourd raita.
What can be made from ash gourd?
Ash gourd is used in the preparation of many dishes. It can be cut into strips and stir-fried. Other recipes include ash gourd curry, Tarka aloo (Indian fried pulses), asafoetida idiyappam (rice and lentil patties), and imarti kozhambu (cereals and starchy vegetables cooked with tamarind) or a vegetable fry or chop.
How does ash gourd taste?
It acquires a slightly bitter flavor that can be sweetened by adding sugar, jaggery, or honey when cooked. Cooking more than salt and spices makes the taste worse.