AYURVEDIC NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Rasa
Bitter

Guna
Light, Dry

Virya
Cold

Vipaka
Pungent

Lauki (bottle gourd) is high in nutrients like Vitamin B, Vitamin C, fiber, and high water content. Due to this, it helps to prevent constipation, indigestion, and piles.

Lauki is a climber plant and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is available in different shapes like large and round or bottle-shaped. It is cooling in nature, so it is best to consume it during summers when the weather is scorching hot outside.

Here are the health benefits of lauki (bottle gourd):

Promotes weight loss

Due to the rich amount of fiber, lauki helps keep you full for a longer period and prevents cravings. As a result, you do not munch unnecessary food and lose extra weight.

Prevent weakness

Lauki is a good source of vitamins, minerals and high in water content. Due to this, it keeps the body well-nourished and hydrated. Thus it prevents weakness and fatigue, especially during summers.

Good for diabetes

Lauki has antihyperglycemic effects, which means it helps to prevent blood sugar spikes. As a result, it is advisable for a person who has diabetes.

Full Recipe in Details

Lauki sabzi is a healthy recipe that helps to balance the Vata and Pitta dosha. It is a simple recipe that can be cooked easily within 15 minutes.

I prefer not to add onion and garlic to this recipe which makes it somewhat a sattvic meal. Cooked on a low flame with the right kind of spices makes it delicious. Mostly it makes a good combination with chapati, but you can even enjoy it with rice sometimes.

STARTING GUIDE

Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 05 mins
Cooking Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins

Rasa (taste): Bitter
Guna (property): Light, Dry
Virya (potency): Cold
Vipaka (post digestion effect): Pungent

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoon ghee
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric, organic
1/2 cup tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon kasuri methi
1/2 tablespoon coriander powder
1 bowl bottle gourd, chopped
Saindhav namak (rock salt) as per taste

GUIDE / INSTRUCTIONS

Firstly, wash and peel the skin from the bottle gourd. Chop it into small size pieces.
Take a wide iron wok to cook lauki sabzi. Heat two tablespoons of ghee and add cumin seeds to it.
Sautee cumin seeds for few seconds and add turmeric. Keep the fire low while sauteing to prevent the burning of spices.
Put chopped bottle gourd and 1/2 cup water to it. Keep mixing the vegetable until the sauteed spices blend well.
Add salt, kasuri methi, and coriander powder and mix them well. Cover the wok with a lid and leave it on low flame.
Stir it once or twice in between so that it does not get stick to the wok. Cook it on a low flame until it gets mushy.
Once it gets soft remove it from the flame and transfer it into a bowl.
Lauki sabzi is ready to eat. Garnish it with some chopped coriander leaves.

NOTES

Lauki sabzi is a simple and easily digestible recipe that you can consume during summers. It is a perfect lunch or dinner recipe you can have when you want to eat something light.

Ayurvedic Wisdom

According to Ayurveda, each food has a specific property based on which it nourishes our body. So, it is essential to eat as per your body type. As a result, it helps to maintain health and boosts our immunity.

To make each recipe more suitable, we can make few changes according to our body type. Here are the simple changes you can make as per your body type:

Vata person – Add more ghee to your meal.
Pitta person – No changes required.
Kapha person – Add a pinch of cinnamon powder and bay leaf (1) to your recipe.