Churakka Thoran

Churakka Thoran / Bottle Gourd Fry (Kerala Style)

Churakka(Bottle gourd) or popularly known as 'lauki' in North India,is a healthy veggie.

Ingredients:
 Bottle Gourd - 1 (medium size - chopped)
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
 Green chilli - 3 (chopped)
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
 Salt to taste.

To grind
Shallots - 6 to 8 sliced
Dry chilly - 4
Grated coconut - 3 tsp

For tempering
Coconut oil - 1 tsp
Mustard seed- 1tsp
Urad Dal-  1/2 tsp
Shallots - 2, thinly sliced
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Dried chilly - 2
Cumin seed- 1/2 tsp

Preparation:
 1. Heat oil in a pan. Splutter all items mentioned under "To tempering "
2. Put green chilies, curry leaves, turmeric powder and cook for 1 minute.
3. Meanwhile, in the small jar of the mixer, grind the items mentioned under "To grind" to a coarse paste.
4.Add the chopped bottle gourd and mix well. Add this paste to the almost cooked bottlegourd. Sprinkle little water and keep covered for 5 minutes
4. Put salt
5. Mix well and keep covered till bottle gourd gets cooked .Open the lid and cook for another few minutes until all the water get evaporated .
Serve hot with rice or chappathi / roti