Giloda is part of the gourd family of vegetables and is known as the ivy gourd or gherkins. It looks like a mini version of cucumber. You can find this vegetable in many parts of India. The vegetable has several names and some of them are Tendli, Tindora, Tindori, Kovakkai or Dondakaya.
The Institute of Population Health and Clinical Research in Bangalore conducted a study on this vegetable and its benefits for three months. The study showed that this vegetable helps to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, this vegetable is great for diabetic patients. It is also a rich source of calcium and Vitamin C.
Here’s a giloda stir-fry recipe from my home state of Kerala. You can also serve this dish with some plain rice and dal. Enjoy preparing this Kerala style Tindora stir fry and relish the dish!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Wash and rinse giloda in fresh water. Cut off the to and bottom ends of each and discard them. Now slice the gilodas into thin roundlets or small circles. Wash and slit the green chillies into thin slices.
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Heat oil in a thick bottom pan. Now lower the heat and add the gilodas and green chillies into the pan and mix well for about a minute or so.
- Let the vegetables cook on medium heat, about 10 to 12 minutes. Keep stirring it in between.
- After about 10 minutes, add salt to taste, turmeric and chilli powder and let it fry well till it turns light brown in colour. It should take about 15 minutes to get the desired crispiness.
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Turn off heat and serve with rice and dal or any curry of your choice.
Notes
While buying your gilodas or ivy gourds from the market, pick ones that are bright green on the outside. They will be firm to touch and white inside. The pale green ones are usually the ripened ones and will be either red or orange inside.