Bottle Gourd Kootu (Opo Squash)

Kootu in my house is prepared without onions. I guess its the "Iyer" influence! This is a different kootu, using onions from guest blogger Nutmeg.


Prep & Cooking time: 30 minutes   serves: 4-5

 

Ingredients:

1. Medium size bottle gourd (Opo squash /Sorakaya) – 1 no
2. Moong dal (Paasi paruppu) – 1/2  cup
3. Small onion – 1 no
4. Tomato (medium) – 1 no
5. Turmeric Powder – 1/2  tsp
6. Green chilies – 4 nos
7. Cumin seeds – 1tsp
8. Asafoetida – couple of  pinches
9. Salt to taste
10. Grated coconut – 1/2 cup

 Seasoning:

1. Mustard seeds – 1tsp
2. Curry leaves

Method:

1.      Peel the skin, remove the seeds from the squash and cut into small cubes.

 

2.      Pressure cook the squash with moong dal and all other ingredients (except coconut).

3.      After 5-6 whistles, remove the cooked kootu and bring to a boil.

 

4.       Heat the coconut oil in a cooking vessel, add mustard seeds, curry leaves and wait till the seeds splutter, then add the cooked kootu

5.      Cook, till the water content is reduced, then add grated coconut and let it cook for another 5 minutes.

6.      Bottle gourd kootu is ready and it goes well with Chapatti and Rice.

-Nutmeg