Ridge Gourd Tambli Recipe - Spicy Ridge Gourd in Coconut Curry
Ridge Gourd Tambli combines the traditional preparation of tambli, a cold curry made with curd (or buttermilk) with ground spices and coconut, with the humble ridge gourd. Many mistake this to be a tasteless, fibrous vegetable, but it has innumerable health benefits. By combining it with a cold curry, best had with hot rice and a dollop of ghee, it makes a comforting and wholesome main component of any South Indian meal. Serve the Ridge Gourd Tambli along with hot steamed rice for lunch or a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
-
1 Ridge Gourd (Turai/ Peerkangai)
-
peeled and chopped into small pieces (check notes at the end)
-
1-1/2 teaspoons Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu)
-
1 sprig Curry leaves
-
4 Green Chillies
-
slit
-
1/2 cup Fresh coconut
-
grated
-
Asafoetida (hing)
-
a pinch
-
1 cup Curd (Dahi / Yogurt)
-
(preferably a day old and slightly sour)
-
Salt
-
as required
-
Water
-
as needed
Instructions
Step 1
To begin making the Ridge Gourd Tambli, first lightly peel the ridge gourd, slice it into discs and chop each disc into 3-4 pieces
Step 2
Set this aside
Step 3
In a wide pan, warm a teaspoon of ghee
Step 4
Add in the mustard seeds and curry leaves to it and allow them to sputter
Step 5
Next, add in the chopped ridge gourd, and toss the pieces around on a low heat, until they are slightly softened
Step 6
Sprinkle a little salt to taste and cook further
Step 7
This will make the ridge gourd release a little water
Step 8
Cover and cook on a low flame for 3-4 minutes until the ridge gourd is completely cooked
Step 9
Once cooked through, you should be left with mushy, cooked vegetable
Step 10
Set this aside to cool, while you prepare the coconut curry for the tambli
Step 11
In a bowl, add the sour yogurt, a dash of water and whisk till smooth and no lumps remain
Step 12
Add the coconut to the smallest mixer jar, and top with 2-3 tablespoons of the whisked yogurt
Step 13
In a tadka pan, warm a teaspoon of ghee, drop the slit green chillies and asafoetida into it
Step 14
Saute till the chillies are bruised and fragrant
Step 15
Add them over the coconut in the mixie
Step 16
Grind the whole mixture to a smooth paste, adding little water if required
Step 17
Add the ground coconut mixture to the whisked curd and mix it all together
Step 18
Lastly, add the ground to the cooked ridge gourd, adjust salt if required and stir well
Step 19
Serve the Ridge Gourd Tambli along with hot steamed rice for lunch or a quick weeknight dinner