Padavalanga - Unakka Chemmeen / Snake Gourd - Dried Prawns Thoran

Ingredients:

2 cups padavalanga / snake gourd, chopped into small pieces

1/2 cup dried prawns / unakka chemmeen, cleaned

1/2 cup grated coconut

3 shallots

2 green chillies

2 small garlic cloves

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

salt to taste

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

2 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

1 tbsp coconut oil

Preparation:

1. Crush together grated coconut, shallots, green chillies, garlic cloves, cumin seeds and turmeric powder and keep it aside.
2. In a pan, add chopped snake gourd, cleaned dry prawns, salt and 1/4 cup of water and cook covered, stirring in between, till cooked and water dries up. Switch off the flame.
3. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds and fry dry red chillies and curry leaves.
4. Add crushed coconut mixture and saute well till the raw smell goes.
5. Then add the cooked snake gourd - dry prawns and mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes at low flame until dry.
6. Remove from the flame and serve with rice...