SnakeGourd Fry / Potlakaaya fry

Potlakaaya fry

Another most overlooked and undervalued vegetable besides bittergourd is this snake gourd (Potlakaaya / Padavalanga)) My liking for this vegetable grew considerably after coming to US. Not sure why, perhaps we don’t see these often in stores, so it could be the rare stuff thing. We can make yummy dishes out of this vegetable. It is still a relatively costly vegetable in our stores, but sure tastes good.

This year I have this in my vegetable garden and is giving a good yield sufficient for my family. My Aunt from Kansas sent me the seeds, so nice of her to share them and we sure are enjoying it once every week.

Another good reason to love this vegetable, Snake Gourds are rich in vitamins. Especially for persons suffering with low Hemoglobin content this vegetable is a natural source. These vegetables are tasty and also light on stomach.

The meat of the vegetable has a slight unique sweetness and tastes awesome, give a kick start to enjoy this exceptionally great vegetable.

Ingredients :

• 2 medium Snake Gourds / Potlakaya diced
• 1 tbsp Chili powder or to taste
• 1 tsp of salt or adjust to taste
• 2 Garlic cloves crushed with the back of the knife or chopped
• 1 stalk of Curry leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh shredded coconut  (i used the frozen shredded coconut that has been thawed/defrosted)
• 2 tbsps Oil
• ½ tsp each of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal and Channa dal
• Turmeric powder – a pinch

Directions-

1. Wash and scrape the skin. Cut the vegetable to half, discard the seeds and cut the vegetable into small pieces.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan, add mustard seeds, when they splutter, add cumin seeds, channa dal, urad dal and crushed garlic
3. When the garlic is sauteed, add curry leaves, turmeric powder. Add Snake Gourd pieces and stir. Cook on medium heat with the lid closed, for about 10 Min’s stirring in between.
4. Add red chili powder, salt and mix. When the snake gourd pieces are cooked thoroughly, Add shredded coconut and cook further with open lid for about 3 mins, stirring in between.
5. Remove and serve hot with rice or rotis.

snakegourd Fry / Potlakaaya fry