Ash Gourd / Winter Melon Curry

Complexity: 2/5

• Servings: 4-6
• Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ash gourd (winter melon), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder (optional)
• 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the turmeric powder, ground coriander, garam masala powder, and red chili powder (if using) and cook for 1 minute more.
• Add the ash gourd cubes and vegetable or chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until the ash gourd is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve hot with rice or roti.

Tips:

• For a richer flavour, add a tablespoon of yoghurt or coconut milk to the curry in the last few minutes of cooking.
• If you don't have garam masala powder, you can substitute a mixture of ground cumin, ground cardamom, and ground cloves.
• To make a vegan version of this curry, use vegetable broth and omit the yoghurt or coconut milk.