Ash gourd /white pumpkin is an incredibly versatile vegetable, nutrients enriched, a high pranic food and has so many health benefits. Ash gourd juice is a great detoxifying agent, and is best consumed early morning, that flushes out the toxins from our body. During my juice diet days, it’s the morning drink….energetic & refreshing. Wash well & cut into chunks with peel & seeds. Blend well. Strain out the juice. Add a pinch of pink salt & crushed pepper. Drink once in a week in an empty stomach. Best gut friendly drink.
Let’s come to raita, a simple & no demanding recipe. I used to take as it is like a midday snack. As we’re steam boiling the vegetable, it’s going to retain the nutrients. If you’re Vegan, better consume it with any plant based yogurt & my recommendation is coconut milk yogurt. Or else wuthout yogurt also it tastes amazing but you’ve adjust with the heat, add green chilies accordingly.
INGREDIENTS
• Ash gourd – 2 cups cubed, peeled & deseeded
• Shallots – 10 numbers, sliced lengthwise
• Ginger – 1 teaspoon grated
• Green chili – 2 numbers finely chopped
• Curry leaves & fresh coriander leaves finely chopped (approx 2 to 3 tbspns)
• Salt as required
• Thick Yogurt – 1/4 cup (can be replaced by plant based yogurt)
• For tempering, 1/4 teaspoon each of mustard, jeera & split urad dal.
• Fresh grated coconut – 2 tablespoons
METHOD OF PREPARATION
1. Peel the skin & remove the seeds of ash gourd & cut into small cubes. Steam boil it for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes transparent. Keep aside.
2. Heat a pan & add a teaspoon of any vegetable oil, preferably coconut oil.
3. Splutter mustard, jeera & split urad dal. Then add grated ginger, curry leaves & chopped green chilies. Fry for a minute & then add sliced shallots & cook until translucent.
4. Then add steamed vegetable, give it a good mix. Add required (1/4 tspn) salt. Now add grated coconut which is absolutely optional but it adds the taste & crunchiness of raita so I prefer to add. If it isn’t available then leave it. Switch off the stove.
5. Garnish it with coriander leaves. Let it cool for few minutes. Then add thick yogurt, mix well & have the wonderfully tasting raita.
Without yogurt also it tastes good as curry & go well with rice. Even if you want to mix it with rice, add extra yogurt & make it into bit more liquid consistency. Enjoy it with rotis & parathas also.
Aby's taste tour 