The Beautiful Red Watermelon!

Watermelon comes with countless health benefits. With 92% of water content, it keeps you full for a longer duration, low in calories and is high in Fibre as well.

One cup of watermelon is about 50calories and is rich in Vitamin A, C, and B along with potassium and magnesium in it. It is good for skin and hair & keeps you hydrated for long.

Research shows that it has anti-cancer properties and also good for our heart health. It’s a must for people who suffer with obesity issues and helps with rapid weight loss and prevents the diseases that come with obesity. It improves digestion as it has high fibre content.

It is rich in anti- inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, reducing stress levels and improves brain health.

Studies also show that Watermelon reduces muscle soreness for athletes as it contains Citrulline which is an Amino acid. Citrulline has a potential to improve exercise endurance and performance. Along with so many health benefits this fruit is so flavourful and irresistible that we long for watermelon season to arrive.

I recall one summer, my maternal grand-dad was so fed up of my nagging for this fruit that he took me to a road side vendor and made me eat until I felt full. 😂

This fruit is a favorite for all.

It was first found in Africa, now it’s abundantly grown in China, Turkey and Iran. The Green River in Utah has the world’s largest watermelon farm.

Cordele, Georgia (USA) is called the watermelon capital of the world as it has largest quantity and good quality watermelon grown here. They celebrate annual watermelon day festival every summer after the harvesting season. It is USA’s largest cash crop.

Watermelon Ki Sabzi

Ingredients

• Skin of watermelon - Peel the Green layer and cut the skin into cubes.

• Oil 4 tbsp for frying

• Mustard Seeds 1tsp

• Dry red chillis 2

• Cumin / Jeera 1tsp

• Fennel Seeds 1 tsp

• Asafoetida ½ tsp

• Ginger Garlic Paste 2 tsp

• Green chilli 1 slit

• Onion finely chopped ½ cup

• Turmeric powder ½ tsp

• Red Chilli powder ¾ tsp

• Coriander powder 2 tsp

• Kasurimethi or Dry Fenugreek leaves -1tsp

• Dry Mango Powder (Amchur powder) 1tsp

• Chaat masala – ½ tsp

• Salt as per taste

• Finely Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Method

• Heat oil in a wok. Add mustard, jeera, dry red chilli, asafoetida and stir for a minute.

• Now add fennel seeds and finely chopped onion.

• Once the onion's are cooked add the ginger garlic paste to it and give it a good stir.

• Include the turmeric powder, chilli powder, corriander powder and salt as required and mix well.

• Quickly add the peeled and diced watermelon skin slices, give it a good mix and cover and cook for 20 min.

• The watermelon skin should cook well and soft and needs to look translucent, like a cooked white pumpkin.

• Once cooked add the Kasuri methi, chopped corriander, Amchur and chaat masala powder and serve hot with Chapati.