While we are digging into the juicy watermelon, do we ever realise how we waste a major chunk of the whole fruit by just throwing it all away? You probably didn't know this, but that outer layer of watermelon is not useless; you can eat that too. Surprised? So was I when I found out!
All that watermelon rind that ends up in our dustbin is actually quite nutritious and good for health. Bonus: it also tastes great. For starters, watermelon rind is rich in fibre that helps the digestive system run smoothly and eventually aids weight loss. So, let's give a better fate to our favourite summer fruit and put it to good use. Here's a flavourful, spicy, lip-smacking sabzi that I made and loved.
(Also Read: Need for Seed: Why You Should Eat Watermelon Seeds)
Use the entire watermelon in your diet.
Watermelon Skin (Tarbooz Ke Chilke) Sabzi Recipe -
Ingredients
Rind of half a watermelon
1 onion, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1-2 green chillies slit
Half inch ginger, grated
4-5 garlic cloves, crushed
A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
1 teaspoon coriander powder (dhaniya)
Half teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
Half teaspoon mango powder (amchur)
Half teaspoon red chilli powder
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon crushed kasuri methi
2-3 tbsp ghee
Method -
Step 1 - After lobbing out the watermelon flesh, take the leftover rind and peel off their outermost green coloured layer. You will be left with white-cream inner layer. Chop it into small cubes.
Step 2 - Boil water in a pan. Add some salt and a teaspoon of oil. Flop the watermelon rind cubes in the water, and let it boil till they are soft and almost cooked (not fully cooked). This may take around 10 minutes.
Step 3 - Meanwhile, in a separate pan, heat ghee. Add asafoetida till it splutters. Saute garlic, green chilli and onions till they turn brown.
Step 4 - Add tomatoes, ginger, coriander powder, mango powder, salt and red chilli powder. Cook till tomatoes wilt down.
Step 5 - Add watermelon rind cubes. Mix well. Cover the pan and let the watermelon cook fully and absorb the flavours of the onion-tomato paste.
Step 6 - Once watermelon cubes are soft and cooked, sprinkle garam masala and kasuri methi. Mix and serve.
This watermelon skin sabzi can be paired with any Indian bread; the sweet plus tangy flavours will create a perfectly balanced taste that you and your family are sure to love.