Aanapakai Noolugunda Koora - Bottle Gourd Curry spiced with Sesame Powder - ఆనపకాయ నూలుగుండ కూర

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Preparations:

Wash and clean the bottle gourd. Remove the skin and seeds and cut the bottle gourd into cubes. Take these bottle gourd pieces into a microwave safe bowl and add 15ml water. Place this bowl in a microwave oven and cover it partially. Cook the bottle gourd on high power for 7 minutes. Stir once with a spoon and again cook on high power for 7 more minutes. Allow 5 minutes standing time before removing the bowl from the oven.

Break the red chilies into small pieces and keep them aside.

Heat a pan and add rice to it. Fry the rice for few seconds till it is somewhat dry and the grains attain bright white color. Then add the sesame seeds and fry for few more seconds till they are light brown in color. Then add red chili pieces and fry for 5 to 7 seconds. Take these roasted ingredients in a mixie jar and grind them to a fine powder. Keep this prepared powder aside.

Method:

Heat a pan and add ghee to it. When ghee is melted and hot add the mustard seeds and fry till they splutter. Then add the asafetida and curry leaves and mix well. Now add the cooked bottle gourd pieces and salt. Mix the curry well and fry for few minutes till dry. Then add the prepared sesame seeds powder and mix well. Serve piping hot with roti or plain rice.

Points to Observe:

The ingredients used in this recipe are minimal.

The rice when powdered and added acts as a binding agent and brings the curry together. Roasted sesame seeds powder, gives a mild flavor to the bland bottle gourd.

From children to elders all will like this curry as it is not spicy and hot. EE KOORA CHAALA KAMMAGA UNTUNDI.

But remember to serve this dish piping hot with hot rice or rotis.