Tarbooz ke Chilke ki Sabji (Watermelon Rind Curry)

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Tarbooz ke Chilke ki Sabji (Watermelon Rind Curry)

Tarbooz ke Chilke ki Sabji (Watermelon Rind Curry) is a traditional Indian recipe (from Rajasthan) for a vegetarian curry of leftover watermelon rinds. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Indian version of: Watermelon Rind Curry (Tarbooz ke Chilke ki Sabji).

prep time

10 minutes

cook time

15 minutes

Total Time:

25 minutes

Serves:

Rating:

Tags : Curry Chilli Recipes Vegetarian Recipes Spice Recipes Indian Recipes

The Rajasthan region of India is where they truly love watermelon and they have dishes that make use of literally all the fruit, including the skins. This recipe, however is for the rind after removing the red flesh. However, you must pare off the outer green skin (this dish is not cooked long enough to soften that).

Ingredients:

400g (1 lb, 4 cups), watermelon rind, green outer skin removed and flesh cubed
2 tbsp ghee
½ tsp cumin seeds
5 garlic cloves, minced
3cm (1 in) piece of ginger, peeled and minced
2 green cayenne chillies, minced (remove the membranes and seeds for a milder curry)
1 tsp Kashmiri chilli (this is there for colour rather than heat, substitute sweet paprika)
1 tsp ground coriander seeds
½ tsp amchur (this is dried green mango powder and is added for tartness)
¼ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp sea salt (or to taste)
80ml (1/4 cup, 5 tbsp) water
¼ tsp garam masala

Method:

Melt the ghee in a pot over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and cook for about 1 minute, or until they begin to splutter then stir in the garlic, ginger and fresh chilli. Stir fry for 1 minute then add the Kashmiri chilli, coriander seeds, amchur, turmeric and salt.

Stir fry the mixture for 30 seconds then stir in the melon rind and water. Mix well then bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover the pan and cook, stirring frequently or about 10 minutes, or until the rind is soft and most of the water has been absorbed.

Scatter over the garam masala and stir to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes then take off the heat and serve as an accompaniment.

To serve this as a main meal add well browned minced (ground) meat with the watermelon rind pieces and cook as above. Serve this heartier version accompanied by rice.