Ridge gourd curry - Turai ki sabzi - Beerakaya curry - is a simple and delicious everyday Indian vegetable curry. Follow the step-by-step photos and make this easy ridge gourd recipe for your lunch or dinner.
As a kid, I hated veggies like ridge gourd, bottle gourd, sponge gourd, and bitter gourd. But I started liking them after I began cooking for myself. Try my curry recipe, and I'm sure you'll like it too.
If you want more easy curry recipes for a busy weekday or a relaxed weekend meal, try my carrot poriyal, raw banana curry, or Indian-style zucchini potato curry. These dishes are simple to make any day and are packed with flavor.
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What is Ridge Gourd
Ridge gourd, also known as Chinese okra, is a mild and slightly sweet-tasting vegetable from the gourd family. It is called Turai in Hindi, Beerakaya in Telugu, and Peerkangaai in Tamil.
There are two sizes of ridge gourd: a short palm-sized one and a long hand-sized one. I used the long ones.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Ridge gourd: The tender and fresh ridge gourd makes the curry delicious.
Aromatics: I flavored the curry with onions, garlic, and ginger paste. If you don't have fresh garlic, you can use ¼ teaspoons of garlic powder or skip it.
Powder Spices: To make this curry, you only need basic spices such as turmeric powder, red chili powder, and ground coriander. Alternatively, you can use 1 teaspoon of curry powder or as you prefer.
Tempering ingredients: I tempered this curry with cumin, mustard, and curry leaves. Curry leaves impart a unique taste and fragrance to the curry. If you don't have fresh curry leaves, you can use dried leaves or skip them.
Oil: I used coconut oil to make this curry. You can also use avocado oil, peanut oil, mustard oil, or ghee.
For exact ingredient quantities, see the recipe card below.
Detailed Steps
Step 1: Wash and peel the tender ridge gourd using a vegetable peeler.
Step 2: Now cut the peeled ridge gourd into half-inch cubes.
Step 3: Heat a saute pan. Once it is hot, add oil, cumin, and mustard seeds.
Step 4: Once these seeds start spluttering, add chopped curry leaves and grated garlic.
Step 5: Now add finely chopped onions and saute them for 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 6: Add chopped ridge gourd and saute them for around 5 minutes. Close the pan with a lid so the steam inside will cook the gourd.
Step 7: Once the ridge gourd is almost cooked, add turmeric powder, red chili powder, ground coriander, and salt.
Step 8: Mix it well and cook the curry further for 4 to 5 minutes or until it's done.
Variations
- Want to make the curry tangy? You can add half a cup of chopped tomatoes while making this curry.
- Need a different taste? Add other veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, peas, and sweet corn while making this curry along with ridge gourd.
- Want to sneak in greens? Add fresh fenugreek leaves to ridge gourd curry for added flavor. Other greens like spinach, kale, sorrel, and dill leaves also work well.
- Want to make it more flavorful? I sometimes add a teaspoon of dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi), which elevates the curry's taste. You can use fresh herbs as well.
- Do you love spicy curry? To make it spicy, add one or two slit green chilies to the tempering. You can even add red chili flakes at the end.
Mix & Match: Turai Sabzi Serving Ideas
- Pairs well with cooked millet, cooked quinoa, basmati rice
- Great side dish for all Indian flatbreads: Chapati, Plain Paratha, Puri, Naan Bread
- Creative uses: As a sandwich filling along with hummus or cooked beans
- Light meal idea: Mix a cup of cooked beans with the curry and enjoy as a salad.
Here is my lunch plate: hot steamed rice with beerakaya curry, brown lentil dal, and sliced carrots. Check out my vegetarian lunch ideas for easy homemade meals.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen gourd. Frozen veggies cook faster, so reduce the cooking time accordingly.
Yes, you can make this without onions and garlic. You can use grated ginger to flavor the curry.
Yes, Zucchini, bell peppers, peas, sweetcorn goes well with ridge gourd. You can also use leafy greens in this curry.
Though peel is edible, it will be tough. So I suggest peeling the ridge gourd before making this curry.
Have you tried this ridge gourd curry recipe? Provide your feedback by giving a star rating and/or leaving comments. And don't forget to share the recipe with others on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.
Recipe
Ridge Gourd Curry Recipe - Turai Sabji - Beerakaya Kura
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Ingredients
- 2 cups ridge gourd chopped
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 2 teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic grated
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 sprig curry leaf optional
Instructions
Stove top Instructions
- Wash, peel, and chop the ridge gourd into cubes.
- Heat a saute pan on medium heat. Once it is hot, add oil, mustard, and cumin seeds.
- Add curry leaves, garlic, and chopped onion once cumin seeds start spluttering.
- Saute the onion on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add ridge gourd, mix it well, and cook it for 5 to 6 minutes. Close the pan with a lid so the steam inside will cook the ridge gourd.
- Once the ridge gourd is almost cooked, add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
- Mix it well and cook it for 4 to 5 minutes on low to medium heat.
- Once the ridge gourd is cooked as you like, take the pan out f heat.
- If using coconut powder, add it now and mix it well. Garnish the curry with coriander leaves. Serve the hot and delicious curry with rice or flatbread.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select sauté mode. Add oil, cumin, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Cook until fragrant.
- Stir in garlic and onions, cook for 2-3 minutes. If using, add tomatoes and mix.
- Sprinkle spice powders and salt. Add ridge gourd, ¼ cup water, and mix it well.
- Close the lid, seal the vent, and pressure cook for 1 minute on high pressure.
- Let it naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve your delicious ridge gourd curry.
Notes
- Ridge gourd is a seasonal vegetable that tastes best when harvested early. Always use fresh and tender ridge gourd.
- This curry is gluten-free and vegan. If the ridge gourd is tender, it can be cooked without adding milk or water. If not, you can use milk or water to cook it.
- As this is everyday curry, I do not use garam masala. But if you want to spice it up, add ½ teaspoon garam masala powder.
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