Snake Gourd Koottu / Curry

A regular curry at home...i have inherited this recipe from my mom...i had a snake gourd plant at home few months back....hope to plant them again and photograph the creeper :-)

the recipe

Toor Dal - 1/4 cup
Snake Gourd - 400 - 600 gms
Tomato - 1 or 2
Turmeric - 3/4 tsp
Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp

for the spice and coconut mixture

Coconut - 1/2
Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Garlic - 2 cloves
Green chilly - 2
Onion - 1/2 or 5 shallots

for the tempering

Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds (optional) - 10
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Onion - half an onion
Whole Red Chilly - 2 or 3


the method

Cook the dal partially. Cut the snake gourd into small cubes and add it to the dal. When half done add tomato, chilly powder and turmeric powder. Grind the ingredients for the spice and coconut mixture into a coarse to smooth paste consistency. Add it to the snake gourd and dal. Add salt. Cook till done and turn off heat.

In another pan heat oil, add mustard and let it crackle. Add chopped onion, fenugreek seeds, broken red chilies and curry leaves. When brown add to the snake gourd and dal and mix well. Serve with rice and pappad or a spicy vegetable stir fry.