Indian Round Gourd applied with garlic and coconut …Lasoon Khobra Lavoon Dhenashi

Hi friends!

Summer season offers a variety of gourds which are excellent source of water and minerals. Though many gourds are available, not many people like them as they can be quite bland and hence avoid eating them. At the same time, it’s always challenging to cook everyday meal as the food has to be tasty, healthy and not repetitive. I took a big challenge by using gourd and tried to make it tasty too.

The gourd I used is called Indian round gourd commonly called Tinda in Hindi and Dhenashi in Marathi. I used a standard Maharashtrian style of applying a mix of fresh coconut and garlic to the veggie and to my surprise the gourd turned out delicious. My fussy eater ate it eagerly and demanded more. What more can a Mom ask for!!!??

Ingredients

Oil for cooking

about 3cups Indian round gourd chopped

3-4 green chillies roughly chopped

about 1/2 cup fresh coconut

3 garlic pods

1/2tsp Marathi goda masala

1/4tsp turmeric

1/2tsp red chilli pwd

1-2tsp coriander pwd

salt to taste

1/2tsp mustard seeds

a pinch of good quality asafoetida

Method

Grind coconut and garlic to make a paste.

Heat oil and add mustard seeds followed by green chillies, asafoetida and turmeric. Do not let it burn and add the chopped vegetable, salt to taste and mix.

Cook covered, when half done add the coriander, chilli  powders.

Now add the coconut- garlic paste and goda masala. Cook for another minute or two.

Serve hot with chapati.