Snake Gourd / Padavalanga Thoran

Ingredients:

2 cups padavalanga / snake gourd, chopped into small pieces

3/4 cup grated coconut

2 shallots

2 garlic cloves

2 green chillies

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

2 sprig curry leaves

salt to taste

2 dry red chillies

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1 tbsp coconut oil

Preparation:

1. Chop the snake gourd into small pieces and keep it aside.
2. Grind grated coconut, shallots, green chillies, garlic cloves, cumin seeds and few curry leaves together to a coarse mixture.
3. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add dry red chillies and curry leaves.
4. Add the crushed coconut mixture and salt and mix well.
5. Then add chopped snake gourd and mix well and cook covered at low flame till done, stirring occasionally. (Sprinkle little water if required).
6. Remove from flame and serve with rice...