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Tinda Masala (Apple Gourd Curry)

Name: Tinda Masala (Apple Gourd Curry)
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 500 g Round gourd; 1 pc Onion; 2 pc Tomato; 4 clove Garlic; 0.5 tsp Turmeric; 1 tsp Red chilli powder; 0.5 tsp Cumin seeds; 3 tbsp Cooking oil; to taste Salt; 2 tbsp Coriander

45 min Easy 4 servings

Serves 4 · Total 45 min · Prep 15 min · Cook 30 min

Updated on 8 November 2026

Photo: Ravi Talwar / CC BY-SA 4.0

Soft, mild apple gourd (tinda) cooked in a simple onion-tomato masala with garlic. A light everyday Pakistani sabzi that goes with roti or daal-chawal.

Quick answer: 45 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Round gourd, Onion, Tomato, Garlic · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

500 g 1.1 lb Round gourd
1 pc 1 pc Onion
2 pc 2 pc Tomato
4 clove 4 clove Garlic
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp 1 tsp Red chilli powder
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Cumin seeds
3 tbsp 3 tbsp Cooking oil
to taste to taste Salt
2 tbsp 2 tbsp Coriander (Optional)

Steps

Timers run only while this tab is open. The Degchi app keeps them running on a locked phone.

Peel the tinda thinly and cut into quarters or eighths, depending on size.
Heat oil, crackle the cumin and garlic for 30 seconds, then add chopped onion and fry until soft and golden.
⏱ Frying onion · 6 min
Add tomatoes, turmeric, chilli and salt and cook until soft and the oil separates.
⏱ Cooking masala · 7 min
Add the tinda and half a cup of water, cover and cook on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes until tender. Garnish with coriander.
⏱ Simmering · 18 min

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tinda Masala (Apple Gourd Curry) take?

45 minutes in total: about 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.

Is Tinda Masala (Apple Gourd Curry) hard to make?

Degchi rates it easy. The method has 4 steps, and 3 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Tinda Masala (Apple Gourd Curry) serve?

This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Tinda Masala (Apple Gourd Curry) halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Tinda Masala (Apple Gourd Curry)?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: turmeric, red chilli powder, cooking oil, salt. Spice-box items: cumin seeds. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: round gourd, onion, tomato, garlic.

Any tips for making Tinda Masala (Apple Gourd Curry)?

Choose small, firm tinda; large ones have hard seeds. Cook with the lid on so the gourd steams in its own juice and keeps its shape.