You know my love for seasonal fruits and veggies. Some veggies have an even smaller season as compared to others and are grown locally in some regions only. I love learning about such fruits and veggies and trying their recipes. They are rapidly becoming extinct and I so wish to preserve our rich heritage and diversity.  One such sabzi/veg is this Kachari, it’s Botanical name is Cucumis pubescens is similar to cucumber and is usually found in the hot and arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat and South Punjab. It resembles a small melon and has the exact same skin design as a watermelon.

Fresh Kachari. Look at their beautiful skin
Fresh Kachari. Look at their beautiful skin

I love making Kachari ki chutney, it is supposed to be really good for our stomach. It also tastes amazing with Aloo ki Tari wali sabzi. People use it in both raw/fresh and dried forms. The rural communities would sun-dry and save this veg after making powder and use it all year long. Due to its wild nature of growth, it has become very difficult to find it in farmer markets. I found some Kachari while traveling from Bhatinda to Delhi. Found these small roadside vegetable sellers selling fresh Kachari and I got down from the car all excited and bought it to make Kachari ki Chutney.

OTHER SEASONAL VEGGIES & FRUITS:

Though most fruits and veggies are seasonal, some of them are extremely rare and have a very short harvest season. I love utilizing them and savor their flavors. Some of my favorites are Jamun, Karonde, Lasode, and so on. Here are some of my favorite seasonal recipes:

  1. Aluwadi/Patrode/Patra
  2. Lasode ki sabzi
  3. Jamun Kala Khata Sherbet
PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes
SERVINGS: 1 small chutney jar
DIFFICULTY SCALE: Low

INGREDIENTS: 

  1. Kachari – 150 gms/1 bowl
  2. Onion- 1, small
  3. Garlic – 5-6
  4. Coriander leaves – 1/2 bowl
  5. Green chili – 1 (or more)
  6. Salt – 1 teaspoon

UTENSILS/EQUIPMENT:

  1. Peeler
  2. Grinder

RECIPE:

  1. Thoroughly wash the kachari and let them drain out for 5 minutes or so.
  2. Peel the Kachari and roughly chop them and add them to the grinder.
  3. Roughly chop and add onion slices into the grinder.
  4. Also, add green chilli, coriander leaves, and garlic pods along with salt.
  5. Grind all the ingredients to make a smooth chutney.

Enjoy this lovely Rajasthani Kachari ki chutney with parathas or pakoras.

Rajasthani Kachari ki chutney
Rajasthani Kachari ki chutney