Ash Gourd Curry ( Bolu Huli )

Bolu Huli is prepared with out dal and with out usual sambar powder/spices. Bolu means nothing. No spice, No coconut - Spice grinding mixture. This is one of the traditional dish. We can prepare this curry with brinjals/gulla, Mangalore Southe kai/Sambar Cucumber, Ash Gourd etc. This curry goes well with plain rice, chapatis, dosas and idli.

I have used Ash gourd, a very little quantity of coconut and green chilly.

Let us see some benefits of eating Ash Gourd in our diet.
Ash Gourd is one of the healthiest vegetable which contain loads of medicinal values. It is good for diabetic patients and people who suffer from obesity. It has a cooling property and give relief to people who suffer from acidity and peptic ulcers. It is good for stabilizing nerve cells. It is good for people who are suffering from constipation. It does contain many minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, niacin and Vitamin C. It contain very low amounts of fat, firber, carbohydrates and protein. Ash Gourd is good for common cold.

Ash Gourd Curry  has  " No Onion or No Garlic " in it. It is easy to prepare and you will really enjoy eating this curry.

Things Needed : 

Ash Gourd pieces : 2 Bowls ( 1/4 Kg)
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Jaggery : 1 Tablespoon
Tamarind Pulp : 1 Tablespoon
Turmeric powder : a pinch
Coconut : Fresh : 1 Tablespoon (Optional)
Salt : As Required
For Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 2 Teaspoons
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoons
Urid dal " 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Ingh : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of thick skin, inner pulp of Ash gourd and cut the vegetable into small pieces.
2. Wash the pieces again and cook till they turn soft. (Use required water to cook).
3. Wash and cut green chilly (slit) and coriander leaves.
4. Soak tamarind and squeeze out the pulp. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
5. Now Keep a pan and put well cooked Ash gourd pieces. Add jaggery and salt.
6. Add turmeric powder and mix it well. Add cut green chilly. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

7. Mix it well. Shift the curry to a serving dish. Add grated coconut.
8. Keep a small pan and heat. Add a teaspoon of oil and put mustard seeds and urid dal.
9. Let it splutter. Add jeera and fry for 10 seconds. Add ingh and curry leaves. Add a spoon of coconut oil on the top.
10. Add mustard seasoning to the Ash Gourd Curry and serve with plain rice.

Note : 

Ash gourd pieces should be cooked till they turn very soft. Adding jaggery helps the pieces to abosorb sweet taste. Adding any type of dal is optional. (It helps the curry to be thick). Adding any other spice is optional. You can add crushed pepper and grated ginger. Taste differ.  Adding Onions or Garlic to the curry is optional. Adding coconut on the top is optional. Adds aroma to the curry. Adding lemon instead of tamarind is optional. ( Use half lemon extract)
Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 

Drinking Ash Gourd Juice helps to cleance your body. It helps to detoxify the body.