STUFFED RIDGE GOURD / HEEREKAI ENNEGAI ( ENNEGAYI ) / BHARWA TURAI

Stuffed Ridge Gourd Recipe | Heerekai Ennegai Recipe | How to do Bharwa Turai

Stuffed Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi Ennegai – is North Karnataka style stuffed Ridge gourd. Trust me ..they taste awesome with chapathi / bhakri …. Make this traditional dish at home using this easy recipe.

If you are looking to explore few more North Karnataka dishes , you can check these – Brinjal Ennegai , bhakri , Zunka ,Shenga  Chutney pudi , etc

You can check out Heerekayi ennegayi video here :

About This Recipe

Heerekayi Ennegai is a North Karnataka-style stuffed Ridgegourd recipe where tender ridge gourds are stuffed with a spicy peanut dry coconut based masala and later simmered in a spicy base gravy.This dish is similar to the Stuffed Brinjal ( Badne Ennegayi ) that i had shared earlier , the only difference here is the use of ridge Gourd instead of Brinjal.

A very unique ingredient, known as Niger seeds / Gurellu is added to this dish . Each regional cuisine has its own set of defining ingredients. And these black Niger seeds , are distinct to North Karnatka cuisine and is a common in pantry . Look wise they resemble slightly like black sesame .. but are longer than them , taste wise there is no similarility . They are so aromatic , flavorful ….just divine.

Ridge Gourd is a vegetable which either many hate / is just OK OK type . Knowing that ridge gourd is very high in water and nutrient content and barely has any fats and cholesterol , i keep bringing them home often . From ridge gourd i usually make ridge gourd dosa, dal , chutney , stir fry ,sambar , huli tovve, sihi menasu etc . Thank fully my kids are not that fussy when it comes to veggies . I have already shared few ridge gourd recipes here and today its time for a lovely dish using the veggie – ” Stuffed Ridge Gourd / HeereKai Ennegai “, which i am sure will receive a thumbs up, from even ridge gourd haters.

Few points to note while making Stuffed Ridge gourd : 

• Use tender ridge gourd only . Over grown veggie which has matured seeds , won’t taste good for this dish .
• Don’t peel off the skin completely.This will make the veggie weak and will be difficult to fill in the masala .
• If you are lazy to stuff ridge gourd / running out of time, short cut method is : just chop ridge gourd into big pieces and proceed with other steps as mentioned above. Ya it won’t be stuffed ridge gourd , but a curry . Neverthless it tastes good.
• Do not forget to add peanut-sesame-dry coconut powder.This gives nice taste and texture to the gravy.
• If you want you can omit onion.The same masala as well method can be used to cook stuffed capsicum / stuffed brinjal

Note : This recipe was published on June 12 th 2015 and re published on 18 / 11 / 2022 with updates .

STUFFED RIDGE GOURD

Smitha Kalluraya

Stuffed Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi Ennegai – is a delicious North Karnataka style Ridge gourd curry .they taste awesome with chapathi / bhakri

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine karnataka

Servings 4 serving

Ingredients

 

• 2-3 medium size Ridge gourd / heerekai, ( tender fresh ones without seeds )
• 1 big onion, sliced
• 1 big tomato, diced

To Temper

• 2-3 tbsp Oil
• 1/2 tsp Mustard
• 1 tsp Urad dal
• 1/2 tsp Channa Dal / bengal gram
• few Curry Leaves

Masala To stuff

• 1/2 Cup Peanut
• 2-3 tbsp Dry Coconut / kopra / kobbri
• 2 tbsp Niger Seeds / Gurellu
• 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
• 2 tsp Sambar Powder
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder, based on spice level
• 1/2 tsp Haldi / Turmeric
• lemon size Tamarind
• amla size Jaggery , optional
• Salt to taste

Instructions

 

• Wash and roughly peel the ridge gourd to remove sharp ridges. You need not peel the skin completely. The removed peel can be used to do ridge gourd chutney .
  
• In a pan dry roast peanuts . Let they splutter . Keep aside . Let they cool
  
• To the same pan add niger seeds . Roast on low flame . They splutter quickly

  If you don't have niger seeds , use white or black sesame seeds . Taste wise they don't match but gives a nutty texture.
  
• Now , to a mixer grinder start adding all the ingredients mentioned under masala to stuff .

  ie roasted peanuts , chopped kopra , roasted niger seeds , sambar powder , chilli powder , garam masala powder , haldi , tamarind , jaggery and salt to taste .
  
• Add little water and make a thick smooth chutney . Now stuffing is ready .

  Make sure the paste is not runny . Else it gets difficult to stuff .
  
• Cut the ridge gourd to about 1.5 ” pieces .Cut them in “+” shape just half through the ridge gourd as shown in the pic.Do not cut fully .
  
• Stuff the masala with a spoon or with your fingers as much as possible into the slitted ridge gourd. Keep the remaining masala aside to use later .
  
• To a pan,add oil .When they are hot, splutter mustard seeds, urad dal , channa dal and curry leaves.Add onions and saute till they are translucent.
  
• Now add the stuffed ridge gourd and saute for 2-3 minute.
  
• Next add tomatoes and remaining stuffing masala .
  
• Add some water and close the lid and cook .Keep the flame on medium . Stir occasionally to see that it is not burnt.
  
• After around 8-10 mins , check if Ridge gourds are cooked . They should be soft yet firm to hold shape .
  
• Lastly garnish with some chopped coriander leaves .
  
• That's it yummy Stuffed Ridge gourd / Heerekai ennegai is ready to serve . Relish them hot with Chapathi / Jowar bhakri / Rice bhakri / Steamed Rice.
  
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Video

Keyword heerekayi ennegai recipe, stuffed ridge gourd recipe