Make a chutney with the Dodka che Saal a delicious, spicy, healthy condiment.
Heerekai, Peerkangai or Turai is a simple yet nutrient-rich vegetable and traditionally the peels both my mother and mother-in-law used to make a chutney. Simple yet delicious we call Heerekai Sippe Chutney.
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Why is Heerekai Sippe Chutney?
Heerekai Sippe or HiriKai Sippi Chutney is an age-old chutney made in most South Indian families. This vegan preparation uses lentils and freshly grated coconut along with green chillies and coriander leaves. Slightly pungent and mildly sweet-sour is what I aim for.
This chutney pairs well as a breakfast side dish for idli, dosa taste yum with the chutney. Use the peels chutney as a spread, apply to sliced bread and you will enjoy your chutney sandwich too. even smear the chutney on a chappati and add a cutlet, onions, and lettuce warp up and you have a homemade wrap. No grumbles at all been there. If you plan to serve it with rice use very little water add some sesame seed oil to your rice and mix up. Tastes amazing!
In the past, I have hoodwinked my kids saying it's coconut chutney that I have used different ingredients so it is different. Now I am asked to make the ghosali chutney! This chutney I had published on 01st Dec 2008, updating the recipe and adding new pictures.
Why eat Ridge Gourd and its peels?
The entire plant of Ridge gourd the leaves, flowers, fruit and even the seeds have health benefits. Ridge gourd relieves pain, relieves fungal infections among other benefits. You can check about it here.
The gourd is peeled and used as the peels are tough and they, do not cook like a regular vegetable. The tough peels are full of fibre and nutrition but need special treatment and hence it is ground up to make a chutney.
You can use the ridge gourd in making delicious food there is a salad I make just like Kakdi chi Koshmbir with the peeled Turai and everyone loves it! Turai has sharp ridges and if you cut it diagonally you will see these beautiful star-shaped circles. Do you know you can shallow fry them? I have said I have had to hoodwink the kid's father and the kids a lot. There are other recipes I will link up please check them too.
Ingredients
I have listed the ingredients you will need for measures please check the recipe card below.
- the skin of the ridge gourd
- coconut, freshly grated
- green chillies
- coriander leaves
- oil
- mustard seeds
- split black lentil
- curry leaves powder/curry leaves
- asafoetida (avoid if making gluten-free)
- pea-sized ball of tamarind
- sesame seeds
Method
- The first basic is of course we wash the ridge gourd thoroughly with water. Use a peeler and peel the ridge gourd, the ridges you can discard, but collect the peels. Because of the awareness of pesticide usage etc. I soak my veggies for at least 15 minutes in baking soda. Then rinse them yet again then use the vegetable. Try it if feasible in your kitchen.
- Heat oil in a wok, lower the flame to low and add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add the split black lentil and let it become golden brown.
- Add the asafoetida and curry leaves powder, green chillies and sesame seeds. These will splutter and pop around so be careful.
- The moment the chillies change colour add the ridge gourd peels.
- As the peels wilt and soften switch off the flame and add the coconut, coriander, tamarind, salt and jaggery. Mix and let it cool.
- Once cool grind it in the chutney pot of your mixer. Add water as needed.
- Transfer in a container and store in the fridge for 2 days maximum.
- Serve with idli, dosa, chapatti, rice.
Substitutes and Alternatives
- There are many recipes where add some peanuts are added to the frying mixture. add them before you add the sesame seeds. You can also add cashew nuts to make it "Shahi".
- Some recipes use garlic and red chillies as ingredients. But you will get a reddish tinge to the chutney. You can also add just garlic and use green chillies also.
- Add a red tomato to the frying mixture in place of the tamarind. The taste is great.
- Now this chutney can be made not just with ridge gourd rinds. Mom used the same ingredients to make green tomato chutney, pumpkin skin chutney, and cucumber peels chutney.
Protips
- Do not try to grind the mixture when it is hot or even warm. The chutney may splatter out and cause burns not to mention the painful job of cleaning the backsplash of your kitchen platform.
- Use fresh ridge gourd to get the peels. You can keep the peels in the fridge for 1 day.
- I generally do the roasting in the evening. Then put it in the fridge before I go to bed. this way in the morning at 7:30 am my chutney is ready (I stumble into the kitchen at around 7:15 am).
- This chutney like all my chutney I use either sunflower oil or groundnut oil. You can use sesame seed oil too.
Related Recipes
Ridge Gourd Peel Chutney Recipe
Equipment
- Peeler
- Spoons and Ladles
- chutney jar of mixer/blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup ridge gourd peels
- 1 teaspoon oil
- ½ teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Asafoetida Powder
- 1 teaspoon urad dal split black lentil
- 1-2 green chillies adjust as per taste
- 1 teaspoon curry leaves powder
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- ½ coconut freshly grated
- coriander a handful
- tamarind A marble-sized ball of
- salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon jaggery
Instructions
- Wash the ridge gourd well and then peel it. The ridges you can discard but collect the peels in a plate.
- Heat oil in a wok reduce the flame to low and add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add split black lentil when it reddens add the asafoetida, curry leaves powder, green chillies and sesame seeds. The sesame seeds splutter and pop around so be careful.
- Now add the peels and mix. When the peels soften add coconut, coriander and tamarind.
- Switch off the gas add the salt and jaggery.
- Let the mixture cool completely.
- When the mixture is cold grind in the mixer with a little water as needed.
- Serve with idli and dosa, rice, chapatti.
Jayashree T.Rao says
I used to make this chutney and its a tasty one. Like to use it with chapati, long time I made it at home.
ArchanaPotdar says
So make it now.
Mayuri Patel says
I've not made ridge gourd peel chutney, to think all this time I've been throwing it away. I am sure going by the ingredients used, it must be so tasty.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Mayuri.
Preethi Prasad says
I love ridge gourd peel chutney. A regular at my place too. I liked the addition of sesame seeds . Will try your recipe next time.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Preethi
Jolly says
I have never use any peel into chutney, this sounds so interesting recipe. We usually make sabji from ridge gourd, but never tried in chutney, will try this next time.
ArchanaPotdar says
Do try Jolly, you will like it.
Kalyani says
Our ancestors truly knew zero waste as a way of life. This peel chutney is so delish and inviting. Love this heerekai chutney with hot chapattis
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks.
Ritu says
Very nice Archana.My husband has just started eating turai though with a little resistance. Earlier it was banned in my house. I’ll surely try this chutney
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 True even in my home it was the same story.
Vaishali says
Best out of waste, I have heard about this chutney but have never been so brave to try it. ok let me get strong and brave, will try it soon.
ArchanaPotdar says
Do try Vaishali.
Rajani says
I make a variation of this with garlic to go with rice. It’s great with dosa and idli too, glad your kids like it 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks, Rajani.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
We grow tons of ridge gourd and have never made use of its skin. This year, I am going to make sure I make this chutney. Thanks for the timely post.
ArchanaPotdar says
Sandhya, you are welcome.
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth says
That is a totally amazing zero waster recipe... How much more better food can get if we go close to abslutely no wastage...
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Usha Rao says
Ridge gourd peel chutney was very common condiment when growing up. I have not eaten it in sometime. I made it few days ago after seeing your post. Made me nostalgic. We do not add coconut to chutney and it was a nice variation to the usual fare. Thanks for the recipe.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Usha.
Radha says
I have never tried with ridge gourd peel and it is a great idea to use it for chutney.. This is a wonderful chutney for idli or dosa. Love it.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks.
NARMADHA says
Ridge gourd peel chutney looks so inviting and goes well with Idli, dosa, or even rice. Best out of waste.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you, Narmadha..
Suma Gandlur says
We don't add coconut but it would be a flavorful addition to this chutney. Makes a great condiment with rice.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you.