DODKA (RIDGE KALACE) BHAJI

DODKA (RIDGE KALACE) BHAJI

Ridge gourd is called Ghosale in my native language, Konkani. It is called Dodka in Marathi, Turai in Hindi and Heerekayi in Kannada. We occasionally use ridge gourd at home as it has several properties that make it good for health.

Elsewhere in this blog you will find recipes for other dishes made with ridge gourd, such as: –

I adapted today’s recipe from Vegetable Vegetable from the famous cooking website Veg Recipes of India.

Tip: It is essential to taste the ridge gourd first and make sure it is not bitter before using it in a dish.

We recently tried this easy-to-make dish and I have to say it tasted delicious.

Ingredients:-

• Dodka (back pumpkin), 250-300 grams
• Moong Dal, 2 tbsp
• Medium onion, 1
• Green chili pepper, 2
• Garlic cloves, 4
• Turmeric powder, 1/8 teaspoon
• Asafoetida, (Hing), 1/8 tsp
• Fresh shredded coconut, 1/4 cup
• Coriander leaves, 2 tbsp
• Oil, 1 and 1/2 tbsp
• Salt, to taste

Method:-

Wash the ridge gourd and cut off the two ends

Peel the ridge gourd and cut it into bite-sized pieces

Cut the onion and garlic

Finely chop the green chillies and coriander leaves

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed kadhai and add the chopped onions and garlic

Fry over medium heat until the onions become translucent

Add the chopped green chillies, turmeric powder and asafoetida and mix well

To this add the chopped ridge gourd and the soaked moong dal and the water in which it was soaked

Add salt to taste

Cover and cook over medium heat until the ridge gourd is cooked

Now add the freshly grated coconut and finely chopped coriander leaves

Mix well and turn off the gas

Place the Dodka Bhaji in the serving bowl

Serve hot with chapati or as a side dish with the main meal