Hirekai/Ridge Gourd peel chutney

Hirekai/ಹೀರೇಕಾಯಿ/Ridge gourd is supposed to contain loads of nutrients. Just like the vegetable,  the skin/peel also has its benefits but we throw it away. Not any more. Here is a nice way to utilize that.

Ridge gourd peel

Ingredients:

• Hirekai/Ridge gourd peel – I have taken peels from three medium-sized gourds
• Garlic – 2-3 pods(optional)
• Onions – 1/2 small(optional)
• Dry/desiccated coconut powder – a little
• White sesame seeds – 1/2 tbsp
• Jeera – 1/2 tbsp
• Salt – as per taste
• Green Chilli – 1 & 1/2
• Curry leaves
• Coriander/Cilantro
• Oil – 1 tbsp – for frying
• Jaggery/sugar – optional
• Lemon – 1/2 big

chutney ingredients

Method:

• Heat oil in a kadhai. Add the ridge gourd peel, onion, garlic, curry leaves and coriander and sauté for 7-8 minutes on a medium flame.
• Towards the end, add all the other ingredients except salt and lemon and take it off the heat.
• Once the mixture cools down, grind it to a coarse paste along with salt, water and lemon.

Hirekai Chutney

• You can add tempering to the chutney to give it more taste. I haven’t in this case.
• Also you can add roasted groundnut powder instead of coconut powder. That works beautifully too.

Tasted best with roti of any kind 🙂