Ashgourd Fry (Kerala Style)

White Pumpkin/Ash gourd/Vella Pusani is a watery vegetable , low in calories and high in vitamins. Its high water content helps you to keep hydrated and cool. This Kerala style ash gourd fry is very simple and made with very minimal ingredients. It gives an amazing taste and can be eaten just with plain rice . 

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Serves - 2 - 3 people

INGREDIENTS:

Ash gourd - 3 cups chopped .

Small onions - 1/2 cup chopped

Grated coconut - 3 tablespoon

Green chilli - 2 no.s

Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Asafoetida powder - as required

Salt - as required

Oil - 1 tablespoon

Mustard - 1 teaspoon

Curry leaves - as required

METHOD:

1. Chop ash gourd in to small pieces and wash it in running water and keep aside. In a mixer, take small onions,grated coconut, green chilli, turmeric powder and grind in to a coarse form. Do not grind it into a fine  paste. 

2. Now mix this masala paste with chopped ash gourd.

3. In a pan, add oil. Now add mustard and once its splutters, add curry leaves. 

4. Now add the ash gourd pieces. Also add required salt. Cook in medium to low flame with occasional stirring, for the pumpkin to get cooked and turn soft. It approximately takes 10 minutes. In the end, sprinkle some asafoetida powder. This ash gourd fry can be had just with plain rice and taste really good !.

Note : If you dont have small onions, you can also use normal onions.