50 Min
GF
Ash Gourd Roast
Ash gourd, also known as winter melon, white pumpkin or Chinese watermelon is not easy to find here in Houston; however, it is not hard to grow. Low in calories, high in antioxidants, this hardy cooling vegetable is prized in Ayurvedic lore for its sattvic healing properties. Sattvic refers to a philosophical concept that embodies goodness, positivity and mental clarity. Once harvested, it can be stored for months at room temperature.
When a customer who had a backyard filled with these gorgeous gourds brought by a couple for me to sample, I immediately acquired all her harvest. With a mild flavor resembling cucumber, they can be roasted, added to a stew or eaten raw. They also absorb the flavor of whatever seasoning you use so they can be in various preparations from a stir fry to salads to curries. Here, I cut them into large wedges and roasted them with ghee and cumin. The parsley sauce drizzled over them adds brightness and tang.
Ash gourd, also known as winter melon, white pumpkin or Chinese watermelon is not easy to find here in Houston; however, it is not hard to grow. Low in calories, high in antioxidants, this hardy cooling vegetable is prized in Ayurvedic lore for its sattvic healing properties. Sattvic refers to a philosophical concept that embodies goodness, positivity and mental clarity. Once harvested, it can be stored for months at room temperature.
When a customer who had a backyard filled with these gorgeous gourds brought by a couple for me to sample, I immediately acquired all her harvest. With a mild flavor resembling cucumber, they can be roasted, added to a stew or eaten raw. They also absorb the flavor of whatever seasoning you use so they can be in various preparations from a stir fry to salads to curries. Here, I cut them into large wedges and roasted them with ghee and cumin. The parsley sauce drizzled over them adds brightness and tang.
50 Minutes
4
Notes & Variations
- This recipe can be made with butternut squash, spaghetti squash or pumpkin.
- For a plant exclusive version, instead of yogurt, use hummus as a base for the roasted gourd and replace the ghee with olive oil. Instead of honey, use maple syrup.
- The key to cooking these gourd wedges right is for them to be soft inside and crisp on the outside. You can test this by piercing a toothpick into the gourd. If you overcook them, they will still taste good but might get soft on the outside.
Notes & Variations
- This recipe can be made with butternut squash, spaghetti squash or pumpkin.
- For a plant exclusive version, instead of yogurt, use hummus as a base for the roasted gourd and replace the ghee with olive oil. Instead of honey, use maple syrup.
- The key to cooking these gourd wedges right is for them to be soft inside and crisp on the outside. You can test this by piercing a toothpick into the gourd. If you overcook them, they will still taste good but might get soft on the outside.
Tags:
Tags:
EAT MORE GOURDS.
Let's be more adventurous eaters! Try out these recipes.
