SNAKEGOURD WITH COCONUT

SNAKEGOURD WITH COCONUT

A vegetable which is packed with lots of iron is Snake gourd, potlakaya in Telugu. This is a long and soft vegetable available in different colors, white, light green, dark green, striped etc. This is widely available in South India.  Every one in my family likes this veggie. My mom used to make many different curries with this and everything tasted well.  This can be made into a simple stir fry or can be combined with different dals to make a perfect side dish for rice or can be combined with curd to make perugupachadi. After I moved to USA it was very difficult to find the veggie. So whenever I find this vegetable in the Indian store I buy lot of potlakaya and enjoyed different dishes with this. This time I got the short dark green Snake gourd. I made a simple fry with potlakaya and coconut.   
INGREDIENTS

• Snake gourd                   1 long
• Green chilies                  2
• Coriander                       2 sprigs
• Coconut                         freshly grated 3 Tsp
• Salt                                 to taste
• Oil                                   4 Tsp
• Chana, urad dals             1 tsp each
• Mustard seeds                1/2 tsp

PROCEDURE
Cut the snake gourd into small round pieces. If the seeds in the snake guard are soft then keep them and slice the vegetable along with them. If the seeds are very hard remove them. Scrape out the white soft tissue from inside the vegetable and then cut it into pieces.
In a pan add the oil and heat it. Add the dals, mustard seeds. When the dals turn golden brown add the snake guard pieces. Add the salt, mix well and cook on a slow flame with the lid covered mixing intermittently . After 5 minutes remove the lid. When the pieces turn soft add the green chilies. Cook uncovered till all the moisture is evaporated and now add the coriander and the grated coconut. Serve hot with rice.