Ash gourd is known by many names, the most common ones are winter melon, wax gourd, white gourd or fuzzy melon. In Konkani, it is called kualo/kuvalo/kuvale. Versatile, it makes a great addition to meats, salads, juices and even sweets. During our recent visit to Goa, I made doce out of ash gourd for the first time, with guidance from my mother-in-law. Often, prepared in Goa for special occasions and even during the visit of Our Lady's statue. The bland vegetable when enhanced with coconut, sugar and other ingredients is delicious, irresistible and disappears in no time.
An immature ash gourd is covered in fine hairs, which disappears on maturity. They vary in size and shapes, either round or oblong. The exterior colour ranges from dark green to pale grey. A fully grown gourd develops a coating of white ash, from which it derives the name "ash gourd".
With a vast list of health benefits, ash gourd is low in calories. Ideal for diabetics, weight watchers and to treat obesity. Rich in moisture, a natural blood purifier and detoxifying agent. Aids in digestion and eliminates gallbladder stones from urine. Builds immunity to respiratory disorders. Its high potassium content maintains blood pressure. Economical and should be included in your diet.
An immature ash gourd is covered in fine hairs, which disappears on maturity. They vary in size and shapes, either round or oblong. The exterior colour ranges from dark green to pale grey. A fully grown gourd develops a coating of white ash, from which it derives the name "ash gourd".
With a vast list of health benefits, ash gourd is low in calories. Ideal for diabetics, weight watchers and to treat obesity. Rich in moisture, a natural blood purifier and detoxifying agent. Aids in digestion and eliminates gallbladder stones from urine. Builds immunity to respiratory disorders. Its high potassium content maintains blood pressure. Economical and should be included in your diet.
Kualo/Kuvalo/Kuvale Doce (Ash Gourd Sweet)
(Yields 24 pieces)
Ingredients:
550 ml ash gourd (grated, measure after removing the skin and seeds)
300 grams sugar
300 ml fresh grated coconut (ground coarsely)
50 grams semolina (rava)
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 teaspoon ghee
a pinch of salt
Method:
Cut ash gourd in pieces, remove the skin with a knife, discard the seeds and grate. Place in a sieve over a bowl to drain off excess moisture for an hour or two.
Add the ash gourd in a pan and cook on low heat stirring continuously until almost dry with most of the liquid evaporated. Stir in the sugar, coconut, salt and continue cooking until the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan. Sprinkle semolina, cardamom powder and ghee. Cook and stir until mixtures comes to the centre.
Transfer doce onto a greased flat dish or board. When cool, cut into diamond shapes and store in an airtight container.
Note:
(Yields 24 pieces)
Ingredients:
550 ml ash gourd (grated, measure after removing the skin and seeds)
300 grams sugar
300 ml fresh grated coconut (ground coarsely)
50 grams semolina (rava)
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 teaspoon ghee
a pinch of salt
Method:
Cut ash gourd in pieces, remove the skin with a knife, discard the seeds and grate. Place in a sieve over a bowl to drain off excess moisture for an hour or two.
Add the ash gourd in a pan and cook on low heat stirring continuously until almost dry with most of the liquid evaporated. Stir in the sugar, coconut, salt and continue cooking until the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan. Sprinkle semolina, cardamom powder and ghee. Cook and stir until mixtures comes to the centre.
Transfer doce onto a greased flat dish or board. When cool, cut into diamond shapes and store in an airtight container.
Note:
- The entire ash gourd in the picture was used to prepare the doce.
- Ensure to stir the doce from start to the end.
- Semolina is added towards the end to absorb any moisture.
- Doce was perfectly sweet and soft in texture with the indicated amount of sugar.
