Tindora is a green vegetable which is popular in many parts of India and is known by many names (ivy gourd, kovakai, tondli, giloda…just to name a few). It resembles a watermelon but is only the size of your little pinky. Tindora can be cooked as a subzi all by itself or mixed with other vegetables like potato. Tindora are also used in many sambar recipes. When you’re running out of vegetables to cook, don’t pass up Tindora in the grocery aisle and try this simple, yet delicious subzi recipe.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: Approx 20-25 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
Tindora - approx 1 1/2 lbs, sliced
Oil - 1 Tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Asofoetida (Hing) - pinch
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Green Chilies - to taste, finely chopped
Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder - to taste
Salt - to taste
Method:
1. Heat Oil in a medium non-stick pan on medium heat.
2. Add Mustard Seeds and allow them to pop.
3. Add Cumin Seeds and let them sizzle.
4. Add Asofoetida, Turmeric Powder, Green Chilies and Tindora. Mix well.
5. Add Salt, Red Chili Powder, Coriander Powder and Cumin Powder.
6. Mix well, cover and cook until Tindora are tender. Stir every few minutes to cook evenly and prevent burning.
7. When Tindora are tender, uncover and cook for an additional few minutes to lightly brown them.
Tips:
1. In a time crunch, use the slicer blade of your food processor to roughly chop/slice the tindora.
2. Cleaned and cut Tindora freeze well.
3. Be careful when salting Tindora. They tend to shrink and become a little salty and tangy.
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August 13th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
That’s pretty different from the way I cook…btw it’s called tondakaya in Telugu..my mom cooks it by adding salt and letting the tindora cook completely…then add chilli powder and dhanya powder…cook on low fire for a couple of minutes and then add besan powder…a tsp or more and cook till the all tindora are lightly coated with besan. Hing is optional but tastes pretty yummy. I will keep this version in mind for the next time
August 14th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Hi Meena,
This recipe is Gujarati style, but your mom’s recipe sounds interesting too. Will definitely have to give it a try. Thanks.
August 28th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Thnks for the recipe. I have never tasted/tried tindora but I sure am going to try it. looks so delicious.
September 13th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Very nice Gujju style recipe.
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:53 am
How can any gujju recipe is finished without the use of “SUGAR”
…I actually add, sugar, lemon and some coriander , this gives me perfect taste…
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
ahhh! Spoken like a true Gujju :)!
I must be one of the very few Gujjus who doesn’t add sugar to anything that is not a dessert (except Gujarati Daal).
But yes, feel free to add some sugar and lime. I’m sure it will taste fabulous!