Ridge Gourd is called Shirala /ghosavle /dodka in Marathi , Beerakaya in telugu ,tori in punjabi, Turiya in gujarati ,Jhinga in bengali ,Turai in hindi .heeray kayi in kannada ,janhhi in oriya and Peerkangai in tamil is a popular in India.
It is basically from the Cucurbit family ( gourds family ) like chayote, cucumber, squash etc.,Botanical name is LUFFA.It looks rugged and strong from outside, but the inside is spongy and neither too moist like cucumber nor too dry like squash
Ridge gourd is called shirala because it has Shira (Edges in marathi), normally we dont use these peels in our vegetable.While peeling it, almost 30 to 40 percent of the vegetable comes out as a waste. More over most of the vitamins are under the vegetable skin only. Instead of throwing the peeled skin, lets prepare a tasty chutney in maharshtr ain style which is easy & quick to make.
Ingredients :
Peeled skin of ridge gourd /Grated ridgegourd skin - 1 cup
Green Chilies: 2-3 as spicy as you need
Sesame seeds 3-4 tsps
Oil (use more quantity about 2 tbsp)
Pinch of sugar
lemon juice 2 tsp
Method:
1.Grate ridge gourd skin with help of a grater.
2. Heat sufficient Oil in a non stick pan . Add chopped green chillies .Saute for a minute.
3.Next add sesame seeds & saute for till they turn light brown.
4.Now add the peeled ridge gourd skin. Stir occasionally. Once the color of the peeled skin turns to a brownish tinge, add the sugar ,salt and lemon juice .mix well and stir fry for a few more minutes.
5.Cool and store chutney in an air tight container.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF RIDGE GOURD /SHIRALA /DODKA /GHOSALA /BEERAKAYA
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A nutrition powerhouse: Ridge gourd is loaded with nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron and magnesium. It is also low in fat and calories.
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An ideal weight loss food: Being low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in dietary fiber, it becomes the ideal choice for anyone who wishes to lose some weight quickly. It also has a very high water content, making it a very low calorie vegetable (only 60 calories in 100 gm of cooked ridge gourd).
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Cure for jaundice: The juice prepared from ridge gourd is a natural remedy for jaundice. The juice can be prepared by pounding the bitter ridge gourd and squeezing it through a cloth. You can also eat powder made from bitter ridge gourd seeds and dry crusts when curing jaundice.
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Blood purifier: Because of its blood purifying properties, it helps to purify, restore and nourish liver protecting it from alcohol intoxication.
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Lowers blood sugar level: It contains insulin-like peptides, alkaloids and charantin, which help to lower blood and urine sugar levels without altering blood insulin levels.
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Good for stomach: Cellulose in ridge gourd helps to overcome constipation and also aids in curing piles.
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Skin care: When ridge gourd/loofah is allowed to mature and dry on the vine, it can be harvested as a sponge. Everything (skin and seeds) is removed from them except for the main network. Loofah sponge has been used traditionally as an exfoliating product when bathing. They are very good for removing dead skin cells leaving the skin smooth and conditioned. They can also help stimulate the skin thus making it healthier and more vibrant. The blood purifying properties make sure that you stay away from pimples and acne. Loofah sponge can also help control body and foot odor.
Loofah sponge, being a natural fiber, will attract the growth of mold and microorganisms if not cared for properly. It is therefore important to keep loofah sponge clean by making sure you rinse out all soaps or salt residues and allow it to air dry after use.
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Strengthens immune system: A glass of Ridge gourd juice mixed with other healthy vegetables in the morning can help to strengthen your immune system against any infection.
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