Pudalangai kootu / Snake gourd & lentils curry!!!!

Hi guys!!!

Any type of kootu is a favorite to both me and Ganesh. And, this is the only way I can succeed in making him eat green vegetables. I find kootu varieties are great with rice and any karakuzhambu or just rasam. They are also perfect with chapathis.

Of all different kootu I have tried, this one has been the most tried. The ingredients and the procedure is simple and is ready in very less time too. Now lets see the recipe.

Ingredients:

Pudalangai / Snake gourd - 1 no.
Onion - 1
Moong dal - 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - as required
Asafoetida - a pinch

To grind:
Coconut - 1 cup grated
Green chillies - 2 or 3
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

To season:
Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - a bunch
Broken red chillies - 2

Procedure:

1. Pressure cook the dal, chopped snake gourd, onion, turmeric powder, salt and asafoetida with 1 cup of water for 10 minutes or upto 3 whistles. Make sure to scrape off the inner tissue before chopping the snake gourd.
2. Meanwhile, grind the coconut, chillies and cumin seeds together with little water into a paste and keep aside.
3. Once the pressure is off, open the lid and try to mash the dal with the ladle. Now keep the flame on low and add the coconut paste and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes or till the raw chilly smell leaves.
4. Heat the oil in a kadai and prepare the seasoning and add it to the curry.

Serve with chapathis or rice and curry.