Last Updated on December 14, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Matira Curry
Rajasthan Watermelon Curry or Matira Curry is a savory curry that goes well with any North Indian flatbread like Naan, Gobi Paratha or Kulcha!
Watermelon as a curry – not a natural food combination right? I spent years glancing at this recipe in one of my cookbooks. The Great Curries of India is my go to cookbook when I am in the mood to try a new Indian recipe. It is much used with a torn cover and food stains in the pages that occurred while cooking from it.
It intrigued me, but I was hesitant as I wasn’t sure I would like this unusual flavor combination. Watermelon I think of as a fruit to be enjoyed as is during hot summer days and the juice can be so refreshing. That’s pretty much the extent of my watermelon usage, but this recipe changed my mind!
RELATED: WATERMELON SALSA
Finally, I had purchased an entire watermelon and decided to use some of it to try this curry and hope I would like this novel concept. This Matira (watermelon) Curry comes from the north Indian state of Rajasthan. This fiery curry from Rajasthan is very hot, so I reduced the chile pepper from the original recipe by 1/2 teaspoon, however if you can tolerate more heat, feel free to add it. Try out my adapted version of Rajasthan Watermelon Curry.
Although it is often eaten with rice in Rajasthan, for me it was a great breakfast with some Amritsari Aloo Kulcha.
I was so surprised how much I liked it. I had decided to try this recipe more out of curiosity than anything else and I ended up loving it. It is such a complex flavored curry – hot, sweet, spicy and tangy all at the same time. This is definitely one recipe I would repeat time and time again.
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Before we get to the recipe, here are some Indian flatbreads you might like to enjoy with this delicious Rajasthan Watermelon Curry.
Indian Flatbread Recipes
- Paneer Mint Kulcha
- Amritsari Aloo Kulcha
- Kashmiri Naan
- Khoba Roti
- Bajra ki Roti (Millet Bread)
- Achari Paratha
Rajasthan Watermelon Curry
Ingredients
- 1/4 large watermelon seeded and peeled
- 1 teaspoon red chile powder cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Add cumin seed. After about 10 seconds, add watermelon juice. Add chile powder, turmeric, coriander, garlic paste and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add cubed watermelon, sugar and lemon juice. Cook on low heat for 3 minutes, tossing well to coat the watermelon with the spices.
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That's such a different curry!Ever since you told us about it ,i was so eager to check it out. Looks so good. Will buy watermelon just to try this curry 🙂
what an interesting curry Mir. I've never heard a curry with watermelon before. It looks yummy, love the color and the flavors sound amazing.
Never heard of watermelon curry. Sounds interesting and looks yummy. Thank you Mireille for sharing this unusual recipe.
Mir, this is really such an amazing dish!…I would never have thought of using the pulp for gravy..so innovative and kudos on trying it out..we have made subzi with the rind and know it tastes good..and the colour looks so bright!
very innovative and interesting curry………….thanks for sharing…………
very very delicious and yummy watermelon sabzi 🙂 Looks like I have to pull back all the rajasthani recipes which I haven't posted yet 😉 very inviting curry dear !!! you have made it so tempting !!
I have seen watermelon salad but never a curry.
Quite interesting dear, love their bright color 🙂
Colour of the curry itself is very pleasing, this curry looks seriously terrific.
Looks extremely interesting, the only deterrent now, is to find the time to deseed a watermelon 🙂
here the watermelons dont have so much seeds and you can also buy seedless but as you can see I still left a few in – people also can pick out as they eat the same way they would with whole spices in curries – dont let that deter you from making this delicious curry
OK, I am tired of watermelon with feta cheese and have been looking for something new to do with it. Curry is just a wild idea.
That is such a beautiful curry Mir! The sweetness of watermelon would have balanced the spices well. It also gives the curry such a beautiful color. I would love to try this soon!
I love watermelon but have not tried a curry with it. Love the colour of the curry and all the spices that have gone into makes it sound so delicious.