Podalangai Kootu

Ingredients:

1 snake gourd (Podalangai)

1/2 cup cooked Chana dhal

1 small onion (chopped)

2 coves of garlic (sliced)

3 Green chillies (slit)

Few strands of Curry leaves

1 tomato (quartered)

1/2 tsp Mustard seeds

1/4 tsp Urad dhal

4 tbsp freshly grated coconut

1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp fennel seeds

Oil for seasoning

salt to taste

Method:

• Wash Podalangai and cube it into even small pieces.
• Grind the freshly grated coconut, turmeric powder, fennel and cumin seeds into a fine paste.
• Heat oil in a wok, splutter the mustard and urad dhal then add the onion, chillies and curry leaves. Fry for 1 min.
• Then add the Podalangai, tomato and salt. Stir fry and add 1/2 cup of water. Cover and cook for 10-15 mins.
• When the Podalangai is cooked, add the Chana dhal and the grinded coconut paste. Stir well to combine everything together. Cook for 2 more mins on low flame.
• Serve it hot with steaming rice and spicy gravy or Rasam.