What is round gourd, tinda?

The round gourds are small fruits indigenous to India. They are equally esteemed as a vegetable, medicinal plant, and animal fodder. They are apple-size, round, light green fruit, which are eaten cooked, pickled, or candied. The seeds are roasted and eaten as a snack. The round gourds are small fruits indigenous to India, and are only grown there and in neighbouring Pakistan.

How to select round gourd, tinda

Choose ridge gourd that has a deep green color, taut skin, and that are free of soft spots, blemishes and darkened areas. Their stems should be green and fresh looking. Ridge gourd should be heavy for their size and firm enough. Avoid those that have signs of decay including injuries to the skin or water-soaked areas or if they are soft and rubbery.

Culinary Uses of round gourd, tinda

· Round gourd can be stuffed with zesty filling made from spices like sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and red chillies that are roasted and ground to a fine paste along with ginger, garlic, onions and tamarind, has a mingling of flavors :- sweet-spicy-tangy. A delicious stuffed curry that goes well with both rice and rotis

· It is a tasty and nutritious vegetable

· Although, the most common everyday method seem to be cooking round gourd solo with few spices, either with or without a gravy.

How to store round gourd, tinda

Fresh round gourd is best stored in a refrigerator. They can be wrapped in plastic bag and will stay crisp and firm for a week.

Health benefits of round gourd, tinda

Tinda also known as round gourd is high in water content and fibre. It is good to cure constipation and maintain a healthy digestive tract. It is low in fat and calories and thus a wise choice for weight watchers and people with heart disease. Being very low in carbs, it can be enjoyed by diabetics too.

sliced round gourd

Cut round gourd lengthwise on all four sides, cutting around the stem, seeds, and ribs. With a sharp knife, remove any remaining rib. Slice it as desired

chopped round gourd

Wash the round gourd with water and wipe it with a kitchen towel. Place a round gourd on a chopping board and cut vertically into two halves. Place each halve flat on the chopping board and make vertical slits at regular intervals (approximately ? inch in diameter). Line up the strips on the cutting board and chop by cutting them horizontally at regular intervals (approximately ? inch in diameter) to get chopped round gourd.