BEERAKAYA CHUTNEY

Beerakaya pachadi, is an andhra pachadi or chutney recipe made using beerakaya vegetable also called as ridge gourd chutney. This chutney is so good that it does not need any other dish along with it. The chutney is enough to complete our meal with roti or rice. Beerakya chutney tastes hot and tangy that comes from the tamarind. To give a nutty flavor you can also add Cashew nuts and roasted channa dal. Andhra Beerakaya Pachadi is a delicious dish that make you lip smack.

Chutney is an integral part of Indian delicacies. It is well known by various titles domestically as thuvayal, pachadi, chammandhi and many others. There are plenty of types of chutney which may be eaten like a dip or sauce with any type of Indian meals. Chutneys have been in variations - wet, dry, sweet, sour or spicy hot. The feel of chutney differs from chunky ones to smooth pasty ones.

The word Chutney is derived from an Indian term Chatni meaning crushed.  They require very less effort but a handful of fresh ingredients to make them well. Chutney plays a very multiple role in Indian cuisine despite the fact that it can be easily tucked away in any corner of the plate. It is an important ingredient for serving idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, Sandwiches or most chat items like samosa, pakora, aloo paratha and so on. in short, it is the main component for Indian snack item. Chutney can also be made with fruits, vegetables, herb or spices. Some of the chutneys are Idli Peanut Chutney, Tomato Chutney, Coconut Chutney, Cucumber Chutney, Ginger Chutney….

Beerakaya is called as Ridgegourd in English, heerekai in kannada, Peerkangai in tamil and Turai in hindi. Ridge gourd is the fruit of a sub-tropical vine that belongs to the cucumber family and is native to central and eastern Asia, including the Indian subcontinent. The plant is quite hardy and easy to cultivate and is even grown indoors in regions with colder climates. Ridge gourd is popular as a vegetable in various regional cuisines in Asia, but the fruit is only edible before it ripens. Some of the dishes made with Beerakaya are Turai Beerakai With Milk, Turai Chana Dal, Ridge Gourd Masala, Ridge Gourd Tomato Chutney, Beerakaya Curry…

Cooking Tips:

• The quantity of green chillies can be increased or decreased according to the spicy flavor preferred.
• The chutney can be stored for a couple of days in refrigerator.
• Less water for Khatti (thick) chutney, add only if it’s necessary to run your mixie. 

Health Tips:

• Ridge gourd is extremely rich in dietary fiber and enriched with all the vital elements that include Vitamin-C, Zinc, Iron, Riboflavin, Magnesium, Thiamin and traces of another minerals.
• Ridge gourd is good for skin care, as the blood purifying qualities in it ensures you to stay clear from pimples and acne.
• Chutney acts as an appetizer and also some are good for digestion.

Dollop of ghee, rice and beerakaya chutney and you are on the road to heaven!!!