| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 85 | 3g | 1g | 15g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 3g | 2g | 0.1g |
I adore the Snake Gourd Salad recipe for numerous reasons – it’s not only a gratifying concoction of diverse flavors and textures, but also ties well with my fondness for all things fresh and healthy. Being a Bostonian with a culinary inheritance that is rich in seafood and Irish homestyle cooking, my palate was always nurtured to relish a wide array of ingredients. While my forte lies in comfort foods of the hearty and filling variety, this striking salad comes as a pleasantly refreshing addition to my repertoire.
Healthy Twist to a Family Legacy
Being named after my Irish grandfather, I was humbly engrossed in the tradition of making simple yet flavorful dishes. However, the Snake Gourd Salad stands as a testament to my ventured interest towards healthier concoctions. This salad, with its plentiful fresh fruits and vegetables, satisfies not only the taste buds but also the nutritionist in me.
I love to celebrate the wholesomeness the nature has to offer, and the Snake Gourd Salad does just that with its array of colorful ingredients, each bursting with vitamins and antioxidants. Tomatoes and cucumbers keep you well-hydrated, while the mixed fruits offer a wonderful dose of fiber and essential vitamins. Moreover, the addition of herbs, extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, and spices not only amps up the flavor, but also imbues the dish with an anti-inflammatory punch.
A Flavorful Affair
Beyond the health merits, Snake Gourd Salad has a marvelous mélange of flavors; the subtle sweetness of the mixed fruits perfectly offsets the freshness of the cucumbers and tomatoes. There’s a perky tang from the lime juice, while the black pepper and salt add a much-needed zing. The result is a palate-cleansing salad that manages to be deliciously light yet super satisfying.
While it bears similarity with Mediterranean salads, its unique degree of freshness and hint of fruitiness make it extraordinary. This recipe can be enjoyed as a standalone dish or it can be paired perfectly with grilled chicken, fish, or even a hearty stew or casserole. Moreover, it adapts beautifully to any season, so it’s perfect to be served on a hot summer’s day as a cooling side dish or as a light and refreshing first course to a winter feast.
So there you have it – my love for Snake Gourd Salad. Every time I rustle up this recipe, I can’t help but feel a sense of respect – this salad not only manages to be impressively nourishing, but it also respects the natural flavors and textures of the ingredients. It’s pleasantly minimalistic yet impactful, a characteristic I admire in dishes. Most of all, it reflects my ongoing journey to balance wholesome health with soulful flavors.
What You’ll Need
- 2 medium-sized Snake gourds
- 2 cups of chopped mixed fruits (Apples, Grapes, Oranges, Pineapple)
- 1 cup of diced cucumber
- 1 cup of diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon of chopped mint
- 1 medium-sized lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Method
Step One
Start by washing the 2 medium-sized snake gourds thoroughly. Once cleaned, peel them and cut into halves. Remove the seeds and slice the gourds into small chunks.
Step Two
Proceed to rinse the 2 cups of mixed fruits. After washing, chop the apples, grapes, oranges and pineapples into small cubes. Set them aside.
Step Three
Also clean 1 cup of cucumber and 1 cup of tomatoes. Cut them into small dices. Keep them aside along with the mixed fruit chunks.
Step Four
Take half a cup of cilantro and chop them finely. Also, finely chop a tablespoon of fresh mint leaves. Set these aside.
Step Five
Squeeze out the juice from 1 medium-sized lime into a cup and set aside.
Step Six
In a large salad bowl, combine the snake gourd chunks, diced cucumber, diced tomatoes and mixed fruits.
Step Seven
Add in the chopped cilantro and mint, and drizzle in the lime juice. Pour a tablespoon of olive oil over the salad.
Step Eight
Season with salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Toss well to ensure that all the ingredients are well combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
Step Nine
Once well mixed, place your Snake Gourd Salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
