Ash Gourd Dry Curry

Ash Gourd/white pumpkin is one of the healthy vegetable and loaded with nutrients.  Ash Gourd  stays for a long duration. It is liked by many people. I have used Ash Gourd for dry curry and it is one of the traditional dish of South Canara.

I have used Ash gourd, red chilly and some coconut. This dry curry goes well with almost all the main dishes.
Let us see some benefits of eating Ash Gourd in our diet.
Ash gourd is rich in vitamins and minerals like, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, phosphorus and it is low in carbohydrates. Ash gourd is good for diabetic people. It is good for people who suffer from constipation. Ash gourd helps to stabilize nerve cells. It is low in calories. It helps to flushing out toxins from our body. It is good for reducing inflammation. Ash gourd is good for treating peptic ulcer, nose bleeding and intestinal worms and cough and cold.

Traditional - Udupi Style - No Onion or No Garlic Dry Curry

Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Ash Gourd : 1/4 Kg.

To Dry Grind :
Coconut ( Fresh ) : 1 Cup ( 2 to 3 Tablespoon full).
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Tamarind : 1 small marble size
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Red chilly : 2 to 3 ( Byadagi chilly).

For Seasoning :
Coconut ool /Any cooking oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 5 to 6

To Add
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Jaggery : 1/2 Teaspoon (Optional)
Coriander Leaves : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of Ash gourd and wash it again.
2. Remove the inner pulp and seeds and cut the vegetable into small pieces.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and add oil. Add mustard seeds and urid dal.
4. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and cut Ash gourd pieces.
5. Mix it well and fry nicely on lower flame for a minute.
6. Add 1/2 glass of water,turmeric powder and cook on medium flame.

7. Grate coconut and dry grind it with mustard seeds (1/2 Teaspoon), tamarind and red chilly.
8. Remove it from the mixi jar and keep it aside.

9. Check Ash gourd pieces are cooked well (soft but not over cooked).
10. Add salt and very little jaggery. (1/2 Teaspoon). See that water content is completely disappear.

11. Add ground coconut mixture. Stir it and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in between.

12. Shift Ash gourd dry curry to a serving bowl. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with choice of your main dish.

Note :

Use of any oil is optional. Fresh coconut adds to the taste. Adding onions and garlic is optional. ( We do not add). Use of more /less chilly is optional. Adding jaggery is optional.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves  : 2 to 3.