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Monday, October 13, 2014

Budha Kakudi Khatta

Recently we were invited to a kid's birthday party. My husband and my mother in law also accompanied us to the event. Once the candles were blown out and the b'day song sung enthusiastically by everyone present, the hosts cut up the cake and served it to all. I had to help my little one finish off his piece first. And all the while he insisted on holding the spoon and eating it by himself. As I started to pick up my plate, he showed an interest in devouring my piece too. I just about managed to taste a tiny morsel as he eagerly demolished it. If you are wondering why I am narrating this incident, it is just to show how a mother makes sacrifices, whether small or big, every single day of her life. Happy Mothers Day to all mothers who are reading this. Because every day is special for a mother.

Coming back to the recipe. 'Budha kakharu' or ripened cucumber is one of the ingredients that go into the making of  'Dwitibahana ghanta'. But rarely is it made into a dish by itself. However, as the 'Kartika Somabar' staple 'Oou' is not available in Bangalore, I decided to make a sweet-savoury preparation with the available vegetables. The ripe yellow melons ( which are not exactly same as 'budha kakudi' which we get in Odisha but taste somewhat similar) caught my attention and I decided to give them a try. Read on for the recipe -








Preparation Time - 20-25 mins

Ingredients -

  • 1 Budha kakudi (melon)
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 dry red chillis
  • 1 tsp tamarind paste
  • 3-4 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/3 tsp chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp roasted cumin-chilli powder
  • 1/4 tsp pancha phutana
  • 3 tsp cooking oil
  • freshly grated coconut for garnishing
  • salt to taste


Preparation - Peel the budha kakudi and cut into medium sized cubes.

Grind the mustard and cumin seeds into a smooth paste.

Cooking - Heat the oil in a wok. Add the pancha phutana and broken red chilli. Allow to splutter.

Add the budha kakudi cubes to the wok. Sprinkle some salt and fry for a while till it starts turning a bit mushy. Add the mustard-cumin paste and fry for 1 minute. Add 2 cups of water along with salt, turmeric and chilli powder. Cover with a lid and allow to cook on medium flame for 10 minutes. (Keep checking in between and add more water if required )

Add the sugar and tamarind paste. Simmer for 5-6 mins.

Finally add the grated coconut and roasted cumin-chilli powder. Mix in and remove from the flame.

Serve with arwa bhata (rice) and dalma (dal cooked with veggies).

















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