kankoda in english: Kantola Sabji is a delicious dish made with lightly spiced and sautéed slices of spine gourd, also known as kakora. This easy recipe comes together in under 40 minutes and serves as a great side dish for a regular Indian meal. It’s a vegan and gluten-free recipe made without onions and garlic.
About Spiny Gourd:
Spiny Gourd, as the name suggests, is a small green gourd with tiny spines. It’s also known as Teasel Gourd in English and goes by various names like Kakrol, Kakora, Kartoli, Kankada, Kankoda, Phagil, Phagla, and Boda Kakarakaya locally in different parts of India. These green gourds with small spines appear during the Indian monsoon season and have a slight bitter taste, though not as bitter as Bitter Gourd. When cooked, they have a soft texture.
About Kantola Sabji:
Kantola Sabji is a simple four-ingredient recipe made with spine gourd, black pepper, turmeric powder, and salt. Instead of black pepper, you can also use red chili powder. The sliced spine gourd is marinated with these spices for 10 to 12 minutes and then sautéed until tender and soft. Alternatively, you can shallow fry them for a crispy texture. Adding rice flour or gram flour can enhance the crispiness. This sabji pairs well with dal-rice, sambar-rice, rasam-rice, or with flatbreads like roti, phulka, or paratha.
Ingredients: Kantola Sabji Recipe
- 200 grams spiny gourd (also known as spine gourd, teasel gourd, kantola, kakrol, kakora, or phagil)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder or 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste for spiciness)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions: Kantola Sabji Recipe
Prep Spiny Gourds:
- Rinse the spiny gourds thoroughly under running water using a colander or strainer. Drain excess water.
- Trim the top slender stem of each gourd and discard it. Slice each spiny gourd vertically into four pieces.
- No need to peel the spiny gourds. If the seeds are tough, remove them; otherwise, leave them intact.
- Place all the sliced spiny gourd pieces in a mixing bowl.
- Add turmeric powder and black pepper powder to the sliced spiny gourd. Mix well to coat the gourd slices with the spices. Cover the bowl and let it marinate for 10 to 12 minutes.
Make Kantola Sabji:
- Heat oil in a shallow frying pan. Add all the marinated spiny gourd slices.
- Stir initially to mix the spices with the gourd slices. Then, sauté and let them cook over low heat. Do not cover the pan.
- Stir the gourd slices at intervals to ensure even cooking and browning.
- When the gourd slices are halfway cooked, add salt according to taste.
- Continue sautéing until the gourd slices are browned and slightly crisp, which usually takes about 20 to 25 minutes over low heat.
- Serve the Kantola Sabji hot or warm, garnished with coriander leaves. It can be served as a side dish with dal rice, rasam rice, sambar rice, roti, or paratha.
Conclusion:
Kantola Sabji Recipe is a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights the unique taste and texture of spine gourd. With its minimal ingredients and easy preparation method, it’s a versatile addition to any Indian meal. Whether served alongside rice or flatbreads, Kantola Sabji is sure to impress with its delicious taste and wholesome goodness.
FAQs about Kantola Sabji Recipe
What is Kantola Sabji?
Kantola Sabji is a delicious dish made with lightly spiced and sautéed slices of spine gourd, also known as kakora. It’s a simple recipe that comes together in under 40 minutes and serves as a great side dish for a regular Indian meal.
What are the other names for Spiny Gourd?
Spiny Gourd is known by various names such as Kakrol, Kakora, Kartoli, Kankada, Kankoda, Phagil, Phagla, and Boda Kakarakaya, locally in different parts of India. It’s also referred to as Teasel Gourd in English.
What are the key ingredients used in Kantola Sabji?
The main ingredients for Kantola Sabji are spine gourd, turmeric powder, black pepper powder or red chili powder, oil, and salt. It’s a vegan and gluten-free recipe made without onions and garlic.
How do you prepare Spiny Gourds for Kantola Sabji?
To prepare spiny gourds for Kantola Sabji, rinse them thoroughly, trim the top slender stem, and slice them vertically into four pieces. There’s no need to peel the gourds. If the seeds are tough, remove them; otherwise, leave them intact.
How can Kantola Sabji be served?
Kantola Sabji pairs well with dal rice, rasam rice, sambar rice, roti, or paratha. It can be served hot or warm, garnished with coriander leaves for added flavor.
