Ash Gourd Roast
Photo: Amina Malik / Contributor
Ash gourd, also known as winter melon, white pumpkin or Chinese watermelon is not easy to find here in Houston; however, it is not hard to grow. Low in calories, high in antioxidants, this hardy cooling vegetable is prized in Ayurvedic lore for its sattvic healing properties. Sattvic refers to a philosophical concept that embodies goodness, positivity and mental clarity. Once harvested, it can be stored for months at room temperature.
When a customer who had a backyard filled with these gorgeous gourds brought by a couple for me to sample, I immediately acquired all her harvest. With a mild flavor resembling cucumber, they can be roasted, added to a stew or eaten raw. They also absorb the flavor of whatever seasoning you use so they can be in various preparations from a stir fry to salads to curries. Here, I cut them into large wedges and roasted them with ghee and cumin. The parsley sauce drizzled over them adds brightness and tang.