RIDGE GOURD KOTHSU

பீர்க்கங்காய் கொத்சு

This ridge gourd kothsu is a delicious accompaniment for dosai and idli. The final gravy must not be very thick. Nowadays the ridge gourds sometimes are having bitter taste. Hence it is better to taste it before cooking.


Ingredients:


Green gram- 1 cup
Ridge gourd- half kilo
Slit green chillies-3
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Turmeric powder- half sp
Asafetida powder- half tsp
Chopped onion- half cup
Crushed tomato- 2 cups
Tamarind- a lime size
Sambar powder- half tsp
Salt to taste
Oil- 4 tbsp
Curry leaves- 1 arc
Chopped coriander- half cup


Procedure:


Soak the tamarind in 2 cups of water for half an hour and then extract its juice.
Boil the green gram with the turmeric powder and enough water until it is almost cooked.
Cut the ridge gourds in to 1cm cubes and add them to the boiling green gram with the green chillies.
When the vegetable is cooked well put off the fire and mash them finely with a potato masher.
Heat a pan and pour the oil.
Add the mustard seeds and when they splutter add the onion with the asafetida powder and fry them for a few seconds.
Then add the tomato with the greens and cook them until the tomatoes are mashed finely and the oil floats on top.
Add the tamarind extract and allow it to boil for a few minutes.
Now add the cooked vegetable with enough water and sprinkle the sambar powder.
Boil the kothsu for five minutes.