Today I am going to post the vegetarian version of Dalcha. Kaddu ka Dalcha is mainly prepared using Bottlegourd (kaddu) and chana dal. This is a must have recipe in all Andhra Muslim Weddings along with Mutton Biryani and other side dishes. Kaddu is also known Doodhi or Lauki or Sorakaya or Bottle Gourd or Bottle Squash. The name Bottle Gourd is derived from its shape and use. When the fruits mature gourds are cleaned and dried and used for containers such as bottles, bowls, spoons, pipes, snuff boxes and bird houses, decorated as ornaments and made into articles of clothing such as hats, masks and penis sheaths. They are also widely used in musical instruments including rattles, xylophones and drums as well as wind and stringed instruments. Here are some of the pictures of beautifully crafted bottle gourds, Image Source : WoodSolly.com, Bluedango and Royal Botanic Gardens.
Medicinal value of Bottle gourd
Bottle gourd is very low in calories. Bottle gourd is very valuable in urinary disorders. It serves as an alkaline mixture. The juice of bottle gourd is a valuable medicine for diarrhea and diabetes.
When the juicy bottle gourd is cooked in combo with earthy tuvar dal, along with minimal Indian spices, a flavorsome kaddu ka dalcha recipe is born. I use tuvar (toor) dal in making this dalcha. You can use chana dal or masoor dal too.
Kaddu Ka Dalcha
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup Tuvar dal | Red Gram | Kandi Pappu
- 1/2 cup Kaddu | Bottle Gourd, peeled, deseeded and cut into small pieces
- 1 large Tomato, deseeded and chopped finely
- 1 Onion, sliced finely
- 3 Green chilies, deseeded and chopped finely
- 1/2 tbsp Turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp Red chili powder
- 1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 cup Tamarind juice
- 2 springs Curry leaves
- 3 springs Coriander leaves
- Oil for cooking
- Salt to taste
How to make Kaddu ka Dalcha
PREPARATION:
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Wash and pressure cook dal by adding chopped onions with a drop of oil. (Adding a drop of oil cooks the dal faster).
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Pressure cook Kaddu pieces for only two whistles and set aside.
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Add oil to a heavy bottom pan and saute the chopped tomatoes along with salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste and green chilies.
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When the tomatoes are completely cooked, mash them by using a spoon. Add boiled kaddu pieces and fry for 2-3 minutes.
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Once the dal is cooked, smash the dal using a wooden smasher (pappu gutti or dal ghotni) or you can grind it in a mixture. (This gives thick consistency to the recipe).
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To this add tomato-kaddu mixture along with tamarind juice, coriander leaves, curry leaves and 2 cups of water.
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Cook covered for about 15 minutes or till you get the desired consistency. The consistency will be little thicker than sambar.
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Add love to make this Kaddu ka Dalcha taste ‘YUMMY’.
This recipe is going to participate fourth helping of My Legume Love Affair hosted by Sra of When My Soup Came Alive which was founded by Susan of The Well-Seasoned Cook and also to Waiter there’s something in my.. hosted by Jeanne of Cook Sister!
Indranee says
Nice yummy recipe dear…wish you and your loved one a very Happy Diwali!
Priya says
Dalcha with lauki looks delicious…will give a try soon..
Kitchen Flavours says
Thank a lot Indranee and Priya.
CECIL says
I wish I come across this recipe few days ago before I went and bought all these ingredients for Diwali dinner. But I am so going to bookmark this – going to India to see my in laws and this recipe sounds like a must try.
Sagari says
dalcha looks very comfortinggg
Curry Leaf says
Looks tasty.If possible send it over to Cooksister for Waiter there is something in my … event where the theme is gourd. link –
http://www.cooksister.com/2008/10/wtsim—for-the-love-of-gourd.html
Sujatha says
Happy Diwali to you and your family!
Dalcha looks great.. my comfort food.. will try this soon..
Nazarina A says
Lubna,
I just bought chana dhal at the Indian grocer, nice dish of yours to try Thanks!
Anjum says
Asak lubna…love dalcha anytime,i dint know its also had with biryani…i usually make it with bagara khana,sem ki phalligosh,i add patta,loung and also sprinkle garammasala powder at the end…that makes it rich!!!..the vegetarian version is light n delicious
Mahimaa's kitchen says
that looks so yummy lubna. i have never tried it..
Gita's Kitchen says
Dalcha looks yummy. Its a new dish to me, will give it a try 🙂
Haripriya Reddy says
Yummy recipe!
Wish you a very happy Diwali!
Uj says
Happy Deepavali dear 🙂
Kitchen Flavours says
Thanks a lot Cecil. Enjoy your holidays.
Thank You Sagari.
Thanks for the link and comments Curry Leaf.
Thank you and same to you Sujatha.
Thanks Nazarina.
I too add Garam Masala but in non vegetarian version dear. Thanks a lot Anjum.
Try to taste it Mahimaa. Thanks for your comments.
Thank You Gita, HariPriya and UJ.
sra says
The non-veg version with mutton is a favourite with us, haven’t tried with kaddu. Thanks for the entry!
RAKS KITCHEN says
Thats an intersting post! Looks nice:)
Kitchen Flavours says
Thanks you and welcome Sra.
Thank you Mahimaa.
Pearlsofeast says
sounds great and lovely ingredients.
Kitchen Flavours says
Thank You Pearls of Feast.
kitchen queen says
Hi ur kaddu ka dalcha looks delicious.I like kaddus.You can visit my blog view my recipes and give ur comments