Sponge Gourd with Mustard Seed

I am definitely encouraging everyone here to try and cook more veggies to your family. It is really a healthy lifestyle and cheaper to your budget. Well, this recipe is just so easy to make especially if you have the following ingredients. But as for sure, I know that you can avail in your place any type of sponge gourd or ridge gourd (loofah) / patola which is just cheap.

It is soft, watery and it is in the family of Cucurbitaceae. It is rich in Vit. C, riboflavin, magnesium, zinc and thiamin. It is low in fat and calories perfect for those who likes to trim down their weight. This vegetable contains insulin like peptides which is good to lower down blood sugar. It is also good for our stomach since it helps overcome constipation.

Young Sponge gourd with Mustard seed


It does not matter if you use sponge gourd or the ridge gourd for this one, they will just taste the same. Here is the quick recipe that I want to share with you.

Ingredients:

Sponge gourd / Ridge Gourd
Medium size onions (chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
Turmeric powder
Red chili powder
Mustard seed or rai
Salt
Ground black pepper
Water
Oil
Fresh coriander leaves

Preparation / Method of Cooking Sponge gourd with mustard seed:

Step 1: Heat oil in a pan and put the mustard seed. Once it crackles you may now add your garlic and onions. Next is to put some turmeric powder, red chili powder once the onion is golden brown in color.

Step 2: Put some salt and then your sponge gourd which is cut into half a ring in size. You can put some water for about 2-4 tbsp. only since this veggie will produce water of its own. Cover the pan and put the flame into slow.

Step 3: After 3 minutes of cooking, check the taste if it still requires more salt and you can now sprinkle some ground black pepper and for the final touch, put the chopped coriander leaves. Don’t overcook the sponge gourd. It is soft so you don’t even need to worry about extending more time to cook it, not unless the gourd that you bought was old already with thick seeds, you may need to add few more minutes.