Tendli(Tindora) Talasani (Smashed Ivy Gourd Spicy Dry Vegetable Curry)

Tendli/Tindora/Ivy Gourd/Gherkin is a vegetable which is grown and consumed in most of the Asian countries. It is a little bland in taste, according to me. We make upkari (simple tempered dry dish) most of the times. I was not a big fan of it until my mom made this version of tendli where it is smashed (yup good therapy when you are having a bad day to release your frustration, hehe), smeared with chilli pwd and few more ingredients and then cooked on low flame. It comes out so fantastic. I can just eat it without any bread or rice. I use tindora in my sambar curry too. So I say, it's a healthy vegetable to keep in mind to make every once in a while.

Let us check the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of smashed Tindora/Ivy Gourd
• 1 tbsp of chilli pwd (you can notch it up as you like)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric(haldi)
• 1/2 tsp of tamarind pulp
• salt as per taste
• 4 pods of garlic chopped (can add more if you like)
• 10 curry leaves
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 3 tbsp oil

Preparation:

• Wash tindora nicely and chop off the edges. Make a clean cut in the centre and smash with a large surface knife or a round stone. 
• Marinate it with chilli pwd, turmeric, tamarind, salt and keep aside for 15 minutes.
• Heat a wide bottom pan, add oil, add mustard seeds and let it splutter, add chopped garlic and saute quickly, add curry leaves and hing, saute for few secs. 
• Now add the marinated tindora, mix everything nicely, cover the lid and cook for few minutes. 
• Stir everything again and cook on low flame uncovered till tindora is done. Keep it a little crisp, it tastes good. 
• Serve hot with roti or rice. Its finger licking good!! 
  

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Health Benefits: It helps to control blood sugar in a natural way. Tindora is high in vitamin C. Ivy gourd contains curative properties for jaundice, asthma, bronchitis,and skin problems like leprosy, scabies and psoriasis. Contains detoxification and anti-bacterial properties. Since tendli is rich in fiber the laxative properties of Ivy gourd helps in smooth bowel movements. The beta carotene content of tindora is a good nutrient in fighting against free radicals or toxins in the body.