Reducing Waste with Mauritian Ashard
Food waste is a global concern, and every small effort to reduce it can make a significant difference. Recently, I was inspired by people using watermelon rinds to make kimchi, and I decided to experiment with a Mauritian twist. In this blog post, I'll share my journey of creating a delightful Mauritian Ashard using the white parts of watermelon rinds and provide you with a simple recipe to try at home.
The Inspiration: A Sustainable Kitchen Experiment
I've always been amazed by the creativity of people finding new ways to utilize food scraps. When I heard about folks turning watermelon rinds into kimchi, I knew I had to experiment with a Mauritian adaptation. In Mauritius, we value every ingredient and strive to minimize food waste. Creating a delicious Ashard from watermelon rinds seemed like a perfect fit for our culinary traditions.
Mauritian Ashard: A Refreshing Delight
For those unfamiliar with it, Ashard is a Mauritian condiment known for its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. Typically made with fruits like mangoes or pineapples, it's a delightful accompaniment to many Mauritian dishes it can also be made with cabbage and have a recipe on the blog written by my mom. My experiment involved turning watermelon rinds into a refreshing Ashard that would add a unique twist to our traditional meals.
Recipe: Mauritian Watermelon Rind Ashard
Ingredients:
1/2 medium cabbage finely sliced
2 cup of watermelon rinds sliced
A handful of green beans sliced lengthwise
2 large onions finely sliced
2 tbsps. ground mustard seeds
2 tbsps. turmeric powder
2 tsps. crushed garlic
Optional - sliced green or red hot peppers
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
Salt to taste
Heat oil
Fry onions
Add salt, garlic, turmeric, ground mustard & hot peppers
Turn off heat.
I like to blanche the cabbage to make them softer
Add vegetables until well coated
When it’s cooled down place it into a container. It tastes best after a few days some people even place it by the window for 2 days before putting it into the fridge.
Enjoy Your Mauritian Watermelon Rind Ashard
Your homemade Mauritian Ashard is now ready to accompany your favorite Mauritian dishes. It's a unique and sustainable twist on a classic condiment that not only adds flavor to your meals but also helps reduce food waste. So, the next time you're enjoying a juicy watermelon, remember that there's hidden culinary potential in those rinds.
Experimenting with recipes like this not only reduces food waste but also celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Mauritius. Give it a try and savor the flavors of sustainability and creativity in every bite!
