Masala Tinda/Apple Gourd

Apple Gourd or tinda is a typical summer vegetable which is light on our digestive system. There are various ways in which this can be cooked. Here I am quoting the recipe of masala tindas.

Ingredients:

1. Medium or small sized tindas - 1/2 kg

2. 3 medium sized onions

3. 2 green chillies

4. red chilly powder - 1/2 tbl spoo

5. coriander powder - 2 tbl spoon

6. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbl spoon

7. Amchoor/dry mango powder - 1/2 tbl spoon

8. Chaat masala - 1/2 table spoon

9. Garam masala - 1/4 tbl spoon

10. Whole Jeera - 1/2 spoon.

11. Roasted jeera powder - 1/4 tbl spoon.

12. Salt to taste

13. Dry kasoori methi leaves - 1/2 spoon

14. Fresh coriander - 3 spoon

15. Oil to cook - 2 spoon

Serves: 2-3 people

Method:

1) Peal the tindas and dice them in medium size psc.

2) Slice the 3 onions thinly.

3) Take a pan and put 2 spoon refined oil in it.

4) Once the oil is hot put whole jeera seeds and let it crackle.

5) Slit the green chillies from centre and add to the oil.

6) Put sliced onions in the above and cook for 2-3 mins on slow flame or till the onions are light pink in colour.

7) Add diced tindas/apple gourds to the pan. Cover and cook for 8-10 mins while stirring in between. If required put 2-4 spoon water in between.

8) Once tindas are tender and 3/4 done add all salt, turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chilly powder, amchoor powder, chaat masala and roasted jeera(cumin) powder. Put 2 spoon water cover and cook on slow flame for 5 mins.

9) Put garam masala and crushed kasori methi leaves. Again cover and cook till the tindas are cooked to perfection (5-8 mins). Add water if required. (This is a dry dish so add only little water to cook the tindas).

10) Once tindas are cooked perfectly turn off the gas and put fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with chapatis.

Tip: To check if tindas are cooked try breaking it with the spoon. If it is soft and breaks in two psc easily with the spoon it is cooked.