Ridge Gourd Chutney * Beerakaya Pachadi

Introduction

Ridge Gourd Chutney, also known as Beerakaya Pachadi in Telugu, is a traditional South Indian recipe enjoyed with rice. This chutney is easy to prepare and packed with the goodness of ridge gourd. It has a delightful mix of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors, making it a perfect accompaniment for any meal. The chutney can be made in a short amount of time and offers a healthy alternative to processed condiments. Let’s dive into the recipe and learn how to make this delicious dish.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Shelf life: 24 hours (in the refrigerator)

1 Bowl Measurement: 250 ml

Quick Navigation:

• Ingredients
• Procedure
• Step 1: Cook Ridge Gourd and Green Chillies
• Step 2: Add Tamarind and Continue Cooking
• Step 3: Blend the Chutney
• Step 4: Tempering (Talimpu)
• Conclusion

Ingredients

Ridge Gourd (Beerakaya): 1 bowl

Green Chillies (Pachimirapa): 5 (adjust according to spice preference)
Curry Leaves (Karivepaku): A few

Garlic (Velulli): A few cloves
Tamarind (Chintapandu): A small lemon-sized piece
Cumin Seeds (Jeelakarra): 1 tsp

Ingredients for Tempering (Talimpu): Bengal gram (Senagapappu), Urad Dal (Minapappu), Mustard Seeds (Aavalu), Cumin Seeds (Jeelakarra), Red Chilly (Endumirapa)

Oil (Nune): 2 tsp
Turmeric Powder (Pasupu): 1 tsp
Salt (Uppu): As required

Procedure

Step 1: Cook Ridge Gourd and Green Chillies

Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan, add ridge gourd pieces, turmeric powder, green chillies, and salt. Cover the pan and cook on a low flame for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add Tamarind and Continue Cooking

After 5 minutes, add tamarind to the pan, cover it again, and continue cooking on low heat for another 5-10 minutes until everything softens.

Step 3: Blend the Chutney

Once cooked, switch off the flame and let the mixture cool down. Add cumin seeds and garlic cloves, and blend the mixture into a smooth paste.

Step 4: Tempering (Talimpu)

In a small frying pan, heat 1 tsp of oil. Add red chillies, Bengal gram, urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves. Once the tempering is fried, add it to the chutney and mix well.

Conclusion

Your delicious Ridge Gourd Chutney is now ready to serve! This chutney is best enjoyed with plain white or brown rice. For extra richness, drizzle some ghee over the rice before mixing in the chutney. You can also add some chopped onions for added crunch and flavor. This chutney can be a great side dish for your regular meals, and its refreshing flavor will surely make it a family favorite.

Note: You can also add coriander leaves for an additional burst of flavor. This chutney can be consumed without tempering if you prefer a simpler version.