Though strange in appearance, taste and name, snake gourd has lot of health benefits. It helps in maintaining healthy heart, aids in digestion, boosts immunity, prevents constipation and helps to detoxify body.
In this recipe snake gourd is cooked with yellow split dal and coconut-cumin puree. This gives a distinct flavorful taste to the dish. This light, flavorful and healthy dish goes well with rice or roti.
INGREDIENTS
- Snake gourd 2 small ones
- Yellow split moon dal 1/4 tea cup
- Turmeric 1/4 tsp
- Chilli powder 1 tsp
FOR WET GRIND
- Coconut 1/2 tea cup
- Cumin seeds 1 tsp
- Water 1/4 tea cup
FOR SEASONING
- Mustard seeds 1 tsp
- Yellow split dal 1 tsp
- Red dry chillies 2
- Few Curry leaves
- Coconut oil 1 tbsp
METHOD
Wash and deseed the snake gourd and chop it finely. Take a pan and roast the yellow moon dal on low fire for 5 minutes. Allow it to cool and wash and pressure cook .
In a blender blend coconut, cumin, little water and blend it to a smooth puree.
Take a heavy bottomed pan add snake gourd, turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt. Add water, cover and cook till the snake gourd is done. Add the ground puree and cook on low heat for five minutes. Turn off the heat.
In a frying pan heat coconut oil. Add mustard seeds, dal, broken dry red chillies and curry leaves. When you hear the crackling of mustard seeds turn off the heat. Pour the seasoning into the kootu or curry.
Serve the kootu with rice or Indian bread.