Air-Fried Tindora: Quick, Crunchy, And Delicious

Tindora, also known as ivy gourd, is a popular vegetable in Indian cooking. It is a mini squash with a mild, nutty taste and is rich in dietary fibre, phytonutrients, vitamin A and vitamin C. It is also considered a diabetes-friendly vegetable as it aids in lowering blood sugar levels.

Choosing the right tindora

• Colour: Opt for bright green tindora, avoiding any that appear yellowish or dull. Stay away from tindora with soft spots, discolouration, or wilted ends.
• Size: Choose tindora that are small to medium in size, approximately 2 to 3 inches in length.
• Texture: Look for tindora with smooth, glossy skin. They should feel firm to the touch.
• Freshness: Tindora ripens quickly, so it's best to cook it soon after purchasing. Select tindora that are fresh and vibrant, without any blemishes, cuts, or signs of decay.
• Taste: Tindora has a mild flavour, making it versatile for absorbing spices. It also retains a pleasant crunch after cooking, which is appealing to those who don't like the gooey texture of cooked gourds.
• Organic: If possible, opt for organic tindora or those labelled as pesticide-free to minimise exposure to harmful chemicals.

Preparing the tindora

Step 1: Wash and Cut the Tindora

Begin by washing the tindora thoroughly under cold running water. Then, using a sharp knife, slice off the edges on both sides of each tindora. You can cut the tindora into halves, strips, or rounds, but try to keep the sizes consistent. If you prefer, you can also cut them into thin julienne strips or diagonal slices. Just avoid cutting them too finely, as this can affect the cooking process.

Step 2: Pre-Cooking (Optional)

Some recipes suggest pre-cooking the tindora before air frying. This is not mandatory, but it can help reduce the cooking time in the air fryer and ensure even cooking. To pre-cook the tindora, cut the vegetable into your desired shape, place it in a pressure cooker without any water, and cook for 2 whistles on medium flame. Allow the pressure to drop naturally before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Prepare the Spice Mix

In a mixing bowl, combine the cut tindora with your choice of spices and flours. The specific spices and quantities can vary based on your taste preferences and the recipe you are following. Common spices used in tindora fry include red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin powder, and coriander powder. You can also add salt to taste. Additionally, you may include ingredients like gram flour (besan), rice flour, or cornflour to help absorb moisture and create a crispier texture. Mix well to ensure the spices and flours coat the tindora evenly.

Step 4: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

Spray the air fryer basket with oil or brush it with a thin layer of oil. You can also use perforated parchment paper as a lining. Place the seasoned tindora in the basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. This helps ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Step 5: Air Fry

Set the temperature and time according to your air fryer's instructions and the desired level of crispiness. As a guide, most recipes suggest cooking tindora at temperatures between 180°C and 200°C for 10-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once the tindora is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and place it in a serving dish. You can garnish it with crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, shredded coconut, or fresh cilantro, according to your preference. Serve your crispy tindora fry hot as a side dish with rice, sambar, rasam, curd, roti, or paratha. Enjoy!

Air fryer setup

Step 1: Wash and Cut the Tindora

First, wash the tindora thoroughly. Then, slice off the edges on both sides and cut into halves or thin slices. You can also cut the tindora into julienne or round shapes, but try to keep the sizes consistent.

Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Spray the air fryer basket with oil or brush it throughout the mesh/basket. You can also use perforated parchment paper instead.

Step 3: Season the Tindora

Place the cut tindora in a mixing bowl. Add the desired spices and flour (see recipe options below) and mix well. The spices and flour should coat the tindora pieces evenly.

Step 4: Arrange Tindora in the Air Fryer Basket

Spread the seasoned tindora in a single layer on the air fryer basket/mesh. Do not overcrowd it.

Step 5: Set the Air Fryer Temperature and Time

Set the air fryer temperature to between 180-200°C/360-390°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the desired level of crispiness, but generally, it takes around 10-20 minutes. For example, one recipe suggests cooking at 180°C for 12 minutes, while another recommends 200°C for 10 minutes and then an additional 8-10 minutes.

Step 6: Shake the Air Fryer Basket Midway

Pause the air fryer and remove the basket halfway through the cooking time. Shake the basket to ensure even cooking and browning of the tindora.

Step 7: Optional Add-Ins and Adjustments

You can add other ingredients like peanuts, curry leaves, or additional spices after frying the tindora. If needed, adjust the salt and spice according to your taste.

Step 8: Serve and Store

Tindora fry is best served hot as a side dish with rice, sambar, rasam, or curd. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-5 days.

Cooking the tindora

Tindora, also known as ivy gourd, is a popular vegetable in Indian cuisine. It is a type of squash with a mild, nutty taste and is often used in stir-fries and curries. When cooking tindora, it is important to note that it can be a bit time-consuming to cut, so it is recommended to slice off the edges and cut them into your desired shape before cooking.

To cook tindora in an air fryer, start by washing and cutting the vegetable into thin slices. You can also cut it into disks or julienne strips. Then, add the tindora to a mixing bowl and drizzle oil over it. Add your desired spices, such as salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and carom seeds. Mix well until the spices and oil coat the vegetable.

Next, spray the air fryer basket with oil or line it with perforated parchment paper. Spread the seasoned tindora in a single layer on the air fryer basket and set the temperature and time. Most recipes recommend cooking at around 200°C for 10-15 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

During the cooking process, pause and shake the basket once or twice to ensure even cooking. If you are adding other ingredients like peanuts or curry leaves, do so towards the end of the cooking time.

Finally, remove the tindora from the air fryer and serve it hot as a side dish with rice, sambar, rasam, or curd. You can also serve it with roti, paratha, or dal rice.

Tips and Variations

• Preheating the air fryer before adding the tindora can help achieve the desired crispness.
• If using frozen tindora, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• For a less spicy version, use Kashmiri red chilli powder or reduce the amount of chilli powder.
• To enhance the flavour and texture, add roasted crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, shredded coconut, or ajwain (carrom) seeds.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can also cook tindora on a stovetop. Heat oil in a wok or sauté pan and add the tindora, cooking it covered until tender. Then, add the spices and mix well.

Serving suggestions

Tindora fry is a dry curry recipe that can be served as a side dish with rice, roti, dal, sambar, rasam, or curd. It is a popular dish in India and can be served with a variety of main courses. Here are some specific serving suggestions:

• Serve tindora fry with steamed plain rice, any pulao, or any flatbread such as chapathi, roti, or phulka. This combination is mentioned in the recipe and is said to be perfect.
• Serve with sambar rice, dal rice, Bisi bele bath, or curd rice. These combinations are also mentioned in the recipe and are said to go well with tindora fry.
• Serve with lauki, roti, paratha, dal tadka, or rice for a complete meal or when serving a large family. These combinations are mentioned as suggestions to serve with tindora.
• Serve with hot rice and a dollop of ghee. This combination is mentioned as a good option to serve with tindora fry.

Frequently asked questions