Heerekayi Palya, Karnataka Style Ridge Gourd Curry

          I am always amazed at, how the same vegetable is cooked in so many different ways, using different blend of spices across the different states in India. Today's dish, Heerekayi Palya is a Karnataka style curry with Ridge Gourd, Heerakayi in Kannada, Beerakaya in Telugu, Peerkangai in Tamil and Torai in Hindi. It's a simple curry, the vegetable is cooked and sauteed with Palya Powder/ Curry Powder. Since I don't have the curry powder, I have made a small quantity, just enough for this curry. This palya would go very well with rice and dal or even as a side dish for rotis too..

Ridge Gourd Peel Chutney And Awards

          The first time, I tasted chutneys using vegetable peels was at my friend's place, she usually makes this thogayal with the chow-chow (chayote) peels and I liked it very much. But for some reason, have never tried to make it at home, this is the first time ever, I made a chutney using the peeled skins of a vegetable. I had made a pachadi using the ridge gourd and suddenly it struck me that I should do a chutney with the peels. I added some peanuts for taste, and voilà, it was one yummy thogayal that tasted very delicious with rice and some gingelly oil..

Ridgegourd And Potato Curry

          Ridge gourd, one of those vegetables that seems to be always in the background, before marriage I had tasted it only in kootus. Only later, I came to appreciate this vegetable, after tasting the chutneys and bajjis. Today's curry is a nice combination of this gourd with potato, flavored with garlic and goes well with rotis..