Ingredients

• Ash gourd - 1 medium size
• Bengal gram dhal - 3 tbsp
• Black gram - 1 tbsp
• Red chillies - 6
• Green chillies - 4
• Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
• Cinnamon stick - 1 inch piece
• Tamrind pulp - 1 tsp
• Coriander leaves - a few leaves
• Mustard - 1 tsp
• Sugar - 1 tsp
• Oil - 1 tsp
• Powdered salt to taste

How to Make Ash Gourd Kootu

• Peel the outer skin of the ash gourd. Cut into half and scrape off the seeds. Cut the vegetable into 1 inch square pieces.
• Cook the ash gourd in medium flame without a lid.
• Heat a kadai, fry bengal gram, black gram, red chillies and green chillies.
• Allow it to cool and grind coarsely.
• Set this paste aside.
• Now grind coconut, tamarind, and curry leaves.
• Mix with the cooked vegetables.
• Place this mixture on heat to boil.
• When it starts boiling, add the ground masala paste, salt and sugar.
• Stir well.
• Check the texture of the mixture, if it looks too thick, add little water.
• Allow this to boil for 2 to 3 mins stirring in between.
• Then remove and serve hot.
• Tastes delicious with rice, rotis, chappathis and also pooris.