This delicious Indian style Watermelon Rind Stir Fry or Tarbuj Ke Chilke Ki Sabji is a spicy, and flavorsome side dish that pairs well with every type of flatbread. It’s also great when served over jeera rice with some dal. Ready under 30 minutes.
Incorporate savory ingredients like miso, pinch of salt, or saffron into desserts for a unique and memorable finish to your meal.
It is mildly sweet, spicy, and tangy, soft and slightly crunchy at the same time. When you scoop this stir fry with roti, you get this amazing and perfectly balanced flavor and texture.
This traditional watermelon rind recipe can easily tick all the boxes for out-of-the-box-recipe-ideas using watermelon So next time when you buy a watermelon, then make certain that you save the rind to make this inventive dish.
When watermelon is in season, then this undeniably scrumptious stir fry becomes a staple at many North Indian homes.
About Watermelon Rind Stir Fry
This Watermelon Rind Stir Fry (Tarbuj Ke Chilke Ki Sabji) is inspired by my Mom’s recipe. As long as I remember my mom never threw away the watermelon or pumpkin rind. With pumpkin rind, she used to make pumpkin rind stir fry, pumpkin rind chutney, pumpkin rind pickle, or sometimes pumpkin rind halwa. The dish depended on her mood on that particular day. ;)
She made similar dishes with watermelon rind also. I can tell that every time she served those dishes to guests at our home they were a big HIT. They all loved her innovative dishes, but could never figure out that the main ingredient was watermelon or pumpkin rind. ;)
I still remember when I first made this recipe, my husband couldn’t believe that it was made with watermelon rind. He was quite in awe with this nature’s beauty - Watermelon.
Watermelon Rind Stir Fry is one of the best recipes to make with the nutritious watermelon rind which goes to waste when we throw it away after eating the inner part of the watermelon. Why waste it?
A rind of watermelon has many health benefits, such as; it is rich in fiber and amino acids, which helps in lowering the blood pressure, giving you a workout boost. By cooking this stir fry you can make sure that you consumed all the nutrients watermelon rind offers.
More Delicious and Healthy Watermelon Recipes to try:
Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad
Watermelon Onion Yogurt Chip Dip
Roasted Cauliflower Pilaf With Watermelon Sauce
What is Watermelon Rind Stir Fry or Tarbooz ke chilke ki sabji?
Watermelon Rind Stir Fry that is also known as Tarbooz Ke Chilke Ki Sabji is a specialty from the state of Rajasthan, India. As you might know that my roots come from Rajasthan, so this dish is close to my heart. This is a side dish generally served with some roti and dal.
Watermelon rind is crispy like zucchini or cucumber. You might think that the green part of the rind won’t cook properly, but trust me, the watermelon rind easily softens and beautifully absorbs all the amazing flavor of spices.
After cooking, the watermelon rind gets the texture similar to that of cooked zucchini.
Watermelon Rind Stir Fry:
✓ is delicious and flavorful.
✓ is simple & easy to cook.
✓ makes a great side dish.
✓ perfect to pack in a lunch box.
✓ is vegan, dairy-free, gluten free.
✓ is also suitable for plant based diets.
✓ is ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients ForWatermelon Rind Stir Fry
Watermelon rind stir fry is made with simple ingredients which are easily accessible.
These ingredients are:
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Asafoetida
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Black pepper powder (kali mirch powder)
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Coriander (dhania) powder
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Cumin (jeera) powder
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Cumin (jeera) seeds
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Dried mango (amchoor) powder
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Fennel (saunf) seeds
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Garam masala powder
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Ginger & garlic
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Gram flour / besan
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Mustard (rai) seeds
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Onions
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Red chili (lal mirch) powder
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Turmeric (haldi) powder
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Watermelon rind (tarbooz ke chilke)
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vegetable oil
More Rajasthani Recipes:
Traditional Rajasthani Sev Tamatar Ki Sabzi
How to make Watermelon Rind Stir Fry
To make watermelon rind stir fry you only need to do some chopping and sautéeing.
This is how it is done in 6 simple steps:
Step 1: Heat oil in a pan, and sauté all the whole spices and asafoetida.
Step 2: Add ginger, garlic, onion, and sauté.
Step 3: Add chopped watermelon rind, salt, turmeric powder, black pepper powder, and cook covered for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Add all the remaining spices and cook for a few minutes.
Step 5: Add some oil, besan, and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Done.
Step 6: Serve hot along with any flatbread of your choice.
For a full list of Watermelon Rind Stir Fry recipe ingredients and step-by-step photo and video instructions, please see the recipe box on this page.
How to serve Watermelon Rind Stir Fry Recipe?
You can serve this stir fry as a side with almost all types of flatbreads and rice.
Here are some serving ideas for you:
Meal Idea 1: Watermelon Rind Stir Fry, Lachha Paratha Recipe, and Cardamom Moong Dal Tadka
Meal Idea 2: Watermelon Rind Stir Fry, Carrot garlic Flatbread, and Restaurant Style Dal Tadka
Meal Idea 3: Watermelon Rind Stir Fry, Tandoori Garlic Roti, and Rajasthani Panchmel Dal
Meal Idea 4: Watermelon Rind Stir Fry, Mint Coriander Tandoori Roti Recipe, and Chana Dal
Helpful tips, tricks and variations to make your best Watermelon Rind Stir Fry
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I prefer to use the outer green layer of the rind, but feel free to remove it.
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You can also use some finely chopped potatoes to stir fry. Add them along with the watermelon rind.
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You can also make it sweet and tangy (khatti meethi) by adding some jaggery or sugar.
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I have used amchoor powder in this recipe. If you don’t have amchoor powder, then replace it with some fresh lemon juice. Make sure that you add lemon juice at the end, right before turning off the heat.
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I used red chili powder and did not add any green chilies in this recipe. If you wish you can replace red chili powder with some chopped green chilies, or you can add them both.
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If you think 3 tablespoons oil is too much for you, then add only 1.5 tablespoons of oil. Splash the watermelon rind with some water before covering it with the lid.
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To get more rich flavours, you can also cook this stir fry in ghee.
Do you also make watermelon rind recipes? If yes, then do share them with me. I would love to try them. 🙂
I hope you will like this recipe.
Your feedback is so helpful for me and other MGGK readers. So, if you make this Watermelon Rind Stir Fry - Tarbooz Ke Chilke Ki Sabji recipe, then tag me on Facebook or Instagram using @MyGingerGarlicKitchen. I would love to see your photos. :)
Delicious stir fry recipes you might also want to try are:
Watermelon Rind Stir Fry (Step-by-step photo instructions)
How To Make Watermelon Rind Stir Fry //
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, and asafetida.
- Sauté for a few seconds or until fragrant. Once the seeds start to splutter and sizzle, add chopped ginger, garlic and sauté them for 1 minute.
- After that add chopped onions and sauté for 1 more minute.
- Add watermelon rind and stir well.
- Next, add salt, turmeric powder, and black pepper powder. Stir well to combine, and cook covered, for 10 minutes over medium-low heat, or until rind pieces are softened.
- Now add cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, and amchoor powder.
- Mix everything well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Now make some space in the center of the pan, and add 2 teaspoons oil and 2 tablespoons gram flour.
- Mix well and cook for 3-6 minutes over medium-low heat or until the raw smell of gram flour is gone.
- Serve hot with roti or paratha.
Recipe Card
Watermelon Rind Stir Fry [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 6 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Sides | Indian | 4 |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 109 calories | 1 serving |
INGREDIENTS
For Watermelon Rind Stir Fry //
- 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
- 3/4 teaspoon dried mango (amchoor) powder
- 1 teaspoon fennel (saunf) seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard (rai) seeds
- 1.5 cups chopped onions / pyaaj
- 1.5 tablespoons chopped ginger and garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon red chili (lal mirch) powder, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin (jeera) powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi) powder
- 1/4 garam masala powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper powder (kali mirch powder)
- 1.5 tablespoons gram flour / besan
- 2 teaspoons coriander (dhania) powder
- 2.5 cups watermelon rind (tarbuj ka chilka), chopped
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil + 2 teaspoons
- Pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- Salt to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
How To Make Watermelon Rind Stir Fry //
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, and asafetida.
- Sauté for a few seconds or until fragrant. Once the seeds start to splutter and sizzle, add chopped ginger, garlic and sauté them for 1 minute.
- After that add chopped onions and sauté for 1 more minute.
- Add watermelon rind and stir well.
- Next, add salt, turmeric powder, and black pepper powder. Stir well to combine, and cook covered, for 10 minutes over medium-low heat, or until rind pieces are softened.
- Now add cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, and amchoor powder.
- Mix everything well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Now make some space in the center of the pan, and add 2 teaspoons oil and 2 tablespoons gram flour.
- Mix well and cook for 3-6 minutes over medium-low heat or until the raw smell of gram flour is gone.
- Serve hot with roti or paratha.
WATCH RECIPE VIDEO: Click the play button and video will load ...
NOTES:
- I prefer to use the outer green layer of the rind, but feel free to remove it.
- You can also use some finely chopped potatoes to stir fry. Add them along with the watermelon rind.
- You can also make it sweet and tangy (khatti meethi) by adding some jaggery or sugar.
- I have used amchoor powder in this recipe. If you dont have amchoor powder, then replace it with some fresh lemon juice. Make sure that you add lemon juice at the end, right before turning off the heat.
- I used red chili powder and did not add any green chilies in this recipe. If you wish you can replace red chili powder with some chopped green chilies, or you can add them both.
- If you think 3 tablespoons oil is too much for you, then add only 5 tablespoons of oil. Splash the watermelon rind with some water before covering it with the lid.
- To get more rich flavours, you can also cook this stir fry in ghee.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/watermelon-rind-stir-fry/