Ridged or Smooth Indian Gourd Curry, Traditional North Indian
Turai ki Sabji - 1
Yashoda Gupta
Note from Mamta: There are two types of Turai or Tories in India; smooth gourd and ridge gourd, see pictures. In India, people will often have only one plant in their tiny front gardens, climbing over their veranda or side of the house, stretching over to the roof. This will give them abundant crop for the whole summer. They are one of my favourite vegetables, I love their silky texture. You
Their skin needs to be peeled off, especially ridge gourd. can make this dish with courgettes, but the texture is not as good.
This is an old, simple family recipe, often made by my mother with home grown Turai. It is a simple and quick way of cooking them. They are traditionally made with carom seed tarka, not cumin seeds, which gives them a distinctive, lovely flavour.
Also see Courgette Curry 1 and Stuffed Courgettes or Stuffed Sweet Gourds -.
Serves 4-6.
Edited August 2023
Ingredients
1 kg. tori/turai
1/2 inch piece ginger (about 1 full tsp.), rated or peeled and finely shredded
1 green chilli, finely chopped (optional)
2 tbsp. cooking oil
1 tsp. carom seeds (ajwain)
A pinch of asafoetida powder (heeng)
1 level tsp. coriander powder
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
1/4 tsp. chilli powder (to taste)
1 tsp. salt (to taste)
Optional: 1 tomato-chopped, very optional. I occasionally add tomato, but not often.
Instructions
Wash, peel and slice tories thickly, about 1 cm. thick. Indian
Heat oil in a wok or karahi.
Add carom seeds and let the seeds splutter.
Add ginger and fry for for 15-20 seconds
Add tories, all the spices, salt, green chillies if used.
Stir fry for a minute, until vegetables are well coated with spices.
Add tomatoes, if using.
Lower the heat to low-medium, cover and cook until tender, stirring from time to time. You may need to ad a little water, depending upon how fresh your tories are.
Adjust salt/chillies by tasting.
Turn heat off.
Serve hot with Chapatti.
Notes
If the courgettes are fresh and the heat is correct, you do not need to add any additional water. Selecting correct heat comes with practice, trial and error. It should be simmering very gently, otherwise vegetables may 'catch'. If you need to add water while cooking, add a couple of tablespoons at a time.
Courgettes require very little spices. Do not add garam masala unless you are specifically fond of it.
You can add a tsp. tomato puree to give it a different taste.
