Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu Recipe - Stuffed Ivy Gourds | Stuffed Tendli | Kovakkai

Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu is a Andhra Style stuffed Tindora also known as Tendli. The Stuffing is made from freshly roasted and ground spices making the dish absolutely delicious. Serve it along with Pepper Rasam and hot steamed rice for a comforting meal.

Archana Doshi
Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu Recipe - Stuffed Ivy Gourds | Stuffed Tendli | Kovakkai
6093 ratings.

Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu Recipe is a spicy and delicious preparation of ivy gourd or tendli in an Andhra style. Andhra cuisine is classified under the most spiciest ones, yet this recipe is a mix of amazing flavours and textures.

It is spicy and crunchy making it a delectable side dish for the meal. Dondakaya/ Kovakkai/ Tendli also is known for its nutritional value. It is light on the stomach and makes one feel fuller as well. It also supports healthy blood sugar by acting like natural insulin in our body.

Serve the Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu Recipe along with Steamed Rice and Andhra Style Pappu Charu Recipe for the weeknight dinner.

If you like this recipe, try more recipes from Andhra Recipes such as

  1. Andhra Style Multi Lentil Garelu (Vada Recipe)
  2. Classic Andhra Style Chicken Curry Recipe
  3. Ragi Sankati Recipe - Andhra Style Ragi Mudda

Cuisine: Andhra
Course: Main Course
Diet: Vegetarian
Equipments Used: Hard Anodised Kadai (Wok)
Prep in

15 M

Cooks in

20 M

Total in

35 M

Makes:

4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 500 grams Tindora (Dondakaya/ Kovakkai) , slit length wise
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 2 Dry Red Chillies
  • 1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing) , a pinch
  • 1 sprig Curry leaves
  • 2 tablespoons Oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
  • Salt , to taste
  • To roast and ground to a course mix
  • 2 tablespoons White Urad Dal (Split)
  • 4 tablespoons Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal)
  • 2 tablespoons Coriander (Dhania) Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds (Til seeds)
  • 4 Dry Red Chillies
  • 1/4 cup Fresh coconut , grated

How to make Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu Recipe - Stuffed Ivy Gourds | Stuffed Tendli | Kovakkai

  1. To begin making Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu Recipe, wash, drain and wipe the Ivy Gourds dry with a kitchen towel.

  2. Now make a long cross slit on each Dondakaya/ Kovakkai/ Tendli length wise, keeping the base and shape of each vegetable intact and keep aside.

  3. Next step is to make the Dondakaya Vepudu for which we have to grind the fresh masala. 

  4. Heat a pan over medium heat, add the chana dal and urad dal and roast until golden brown and crisp.

  5. Stir in the coriander seeds, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies until the coriander and sesame start popping and releasing a roasted aroma.

  6. Finally stir in the coconut and roast until it turns lightly golden. Turn off the heat and allow the masala to cool. 

  7. Into the small jar of the mixer grinder add the roasted masala, along with a little salt and grind into a coarse powder. 

  8. Transfer masala into a bowl and set aside. 

  9. Now, fill the slit Dondakaya/ Kovakkai/ Tendli with the roasted masala and keep aside.

  10. Heat oil in a wide pan on medium heat; add the mustard seeds cumin seeds, and allow it to crackle. Add the asafoetida, curry leaves and red chillies and roast for a few seconds. 

  11. Add the stuffed Dondakaya/ Kovakkai/ Tendli to the pan, stir in the same, turmeric powder, gently stir, add 1/4 cup of water and cover the pan. Turn the heat to low and cook until the dondakaya vepudu is done. 

  12. You can also alternatively, place the whole mixture into the pressure cooker with 2 tablespoons of water and pressure cook for 3 to 4 whistles and turn off the heat. Release the pressure immediately and then stir fry in the open until all the masala comes together. 

  13. Once done, turn off the heat and transfer the Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu to serving bowl and serve hot.

  14. Serve the Gutti Dondakaya Vepudu Recipe along with Steamed Rice and Andhra Style Pappu Charu Recipe for the weeknight dinner.