Bottle Gourd (Doodhi ) Casserole,

“Simple, delicious, healthy and Indian!”

I first saw this smooth surface long, plain light green color; zucchini look like vegetable Called bottle gourd has many varieties, wrinkled, orange color, red color, long, short and bitter etc. Bitter Gourd called Doodhi in India, if it is red it is called Karela and people know it (known as Kudret nari in Turkey), which they make pickle out of it.

  Not Zucchini but from cucumber family, bottle gourd is rich in protein, minerals, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, and vitamin B. Because of its alkaline like properties it is good for urinary tract system. It prevents sodium loss and helps weakness.

Before being consumed it needs to be peeled and chopped into small pieces. It has a sponge like texture inside. Besides bottle gourd, I bought one bitter gourd, since I already knew that it is rich in calcium, iron, vitamin B and it is known to help peptic ulcer and acidity. 

Preparation time: 15 Minutes.
 Cooking time: 25 Minutes
Ingredients:
1 Bottle Gourd
1 Bitter Gourd
2 large carrots( cut in small cubes)
1 green chili pepper
1 midsize onion (chopped into small cubes))
1/4 C olive oil
1Tbsp fresh grinded ginger
1Tbsp turmeric
1/2 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. cumin
3 cloves (minced) fresh garlic
1/4 Cup minced cilantro
1/2 tsp. hing (asafoetida powder) (an Indian spice)(optional)
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. salt

Making:
Combine chopped onion,olive oil, garlic, ginger, carrot and green chili pepper in midsize cooking pot on medium heat. 
Sauté it until onions softens and becomes translucent. 
Wash, peel and chop the bottle gourd as shown in the picture, as well as bitter gourd. 
 Add both vegetable into the onion mixture.
Add spices  Continue sautéing 10 more minutes.
Add 1/2 C water and simmer for 25 minutes.
Transfer in to a Pyrex dish
Top with minced the cilantro.
 Serve hot along with Roti (Indian bread) along with yogurt, accompanied with paneer (homemade Indian cheese) or lentil soup.

9/2/2015
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