The world has been chopping,cooking,relishing Ladies Fingers all the while. It is high time they eat some Gentleman’s toes too.
Haha!Don’t get scared.Gentleman’s toes,Gherkins,Ivy Gourd,Baby Watermelon,Scarlet Gourd, Tindora,Donda Kai,Gol kankri,Fruited gourd or Telakucha are all different names of this ellipsoid berry shaped vegetable native to East Africa but now available in different parts of the world. In Hyderabad, it is popularly called as Donda. It has a smooth skin with a crunchy and cucumber like flesh and is a storehouse of nutrients,minerals and vitamins.
This little vegetable is highly underrated. If you believe in the saying ‘good things come in small packages’ then you should see the health benefits and amazing variety of dishes which can be made with these little gourds. It is a low calorie but iron rich food which helps fight obesity,lower blood sugar levels,prevent kidney stones,combat fatigue and maintain a healthy metabolism.You can eat this delightful vegetable pickled,curried,fried,in soups or porridge.
I have this amazing recipe of Ivy Gourd which will make you fall in love with this little wonder if you aren’t already that is. The vegetables are sliced and stir fried in very less oil,seasoned with salt and pepper and caramelized with honey and sugar. It results in a deliciously sweet, crunchy but juicy dish which tastes best with steamed rice. The fried mint and nuts sprinkled on top impart a nutty and minty flavor and added crunch to the dish. Don’t wait! Order your packet of fresh gherkins and give this dish a try.
Caramelized Gherkins-Honey Tindora
Ingredients:
- 500 g fresh Ivy Gourd sliced in roundels
- 2 tbsp.Oil
- 1 tsp. ginger garlic paste
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp. honey
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 6 cashew nuts and 6 almonds
- a few mint leaves
Method:
- Heat a wok or non stick pan and add the sliced vegetables.
- Saute over medium heat for 5 minutes. Make sure they don’t stick to the pan and burn.
- Now add the oil and saute on low heat.
- Add the ginger garlic paste and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Saute further.
- Dissolve the sugar and honey in a tablespoon of water and add to the vegetables.
- Saute till the gherkins appear crisp.
- In a separate pan add a teaspoon or two of oil and fry the nuts and mint leaves.
- Sprinkle the fried nuts and mint leaves on top of the dish before serving.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
Filed under: Hyderabadi, Vegetarian
