9 Exotic Tori (Ridge Gourd) Dishes Perfect for Weekend Lunch
Ridge gourd, commonly known as tori or turai in Indian kitchens, is a light and hydrating summer vegetable celebrated for its gentle, easily digestible nature. Rich in water content and low in calories, it is an ideal choice for weight management and promoting healthy digestion. While often criticized for its bland taste, this versatile vegetable can be transformed into a variety of flavorful dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. These recipes are excellent sources of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and essential minerals, helping to boost immunity and enhance skin health.
Tori Malai Curry
This rich and aromatic dish features ridge gourd cooked in a creamy cashew and tomato gravy, topped with fresh malai for a subtle sweetness and refreshing finish. It pairs beautifully with roti or paratha, making it a delightful addition to any meal.
Stuffed Tori
To prepare this savory side dish, make a lengthwise slit in the ridge gourd and stuff it with a mixture of chopped onion and achaar masala. Pan-fry in mustard oil until soft and tender, then serve hot alongside roti-dal or chawal-dal for a satisfying combination.
Tori Chana Dal
One of the most popular ridge gourd recipes, this one-pot meal involves cooking soaked chana dal with tori in a pressure cooker with a tempering of mustard oil, cumin, hing, garlic, and green chilli. Enhanced with turmeric and salt, the natural sweetness of the dish creates an indulgent curry that can also be enjoyed as a comforting soup.
South Indian Beerakaya Curry
An Andhra-style specialty, this curry combines ridge gourd with coconut, curry leaves, and mustard seeds. The result is a light yet aromatic main course that showcases the vegetable's versatility in regional Indian cuisine.
Tori Pyaz Sabzi
This semi-dry preparation features larger onion chunks cooked slowly with ridge gourd in a kadhai over low heat. The inherent sweetness of both vegetables is balanced with the warmth of garam masala and black pepper, making it an excellent accompaniment to plain roti for a wholesome lunch.
Tori Moong Dal
A gut-friendly curry, this dish requires pressure cooking ridge gourd with soaked moong dal, turmeric, and salt. Finish with a tempering of ghee, cumin, and onion, and serve with plain roti or steamed rice for a nutritious and comforting meal.
Tori Paneer Masala
Perfect for paneer enthusiasts seeking a unique twist, this recipe starts with a tempering of mustard oil, cumin, hing, and green chilli. Cook the ridge gourd with mashed paneer and minimal spices, then serve hot with roti or ajwain paratha for a flavorful experience.
Tori Raita
For a refreshing side dish, sauté grated ridge gourd in ghee with green chilli and cumin until the moisture evaporates. Mix into sweetened curd along with spices like black pepper, roasted cumin, salt, black salt, and chaat masala. This raita pairs wonderfully with roti or pulao.
Tori Paratha
An excellent option for children, this dish involves grating ridge gourd and sautéing it in a tempering of ghee and cumin seeds. Incorporate into dough made with curd and salt, then roll out parathas and cook on a preheated tawa with oil or ghee. Serve hot with pickle for a tasty and healthy treat.
