STUFFED RIDGE GOURD
Stuffed Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi Ennegai - is a delicious North Karnataka style Ridge gourd curry .they taste awesome with chapathi / bhakri
Ingredients
- 3 medium size Ridge gourd / heerekai, ( tender fresh ones without seeds )
- 1 big onion, sliced
- 1 big tomato, diced
To Temper
- 2-3 tbsp Oil
- 1/2 tsp Mustard
- 1 tsp Urad dal
- 1/2 tsp Channa Dal / bengal gram
- few Curry Leaves
Masala To stuff
- 1/2 Cup Peanut
- 2-3 tbsp Dry Coconut / kopra / kobbri
- 2 tbsp Niger Seeds / Gurellu
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 2 tsp Sambar Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder, based on spice level
- 1/2 tsp Haldi / Turmeric
- lemon size Tamarind
- amla size Jaggery , optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash and roughly peel the ridge gourd to remove sharp ridges. You need not peel the skin completely. The removed peel can be used to do ridge gourd chutney .
- In a pan dry roast peanuts . Let they splutter . Keep aside . Let they cool
- To the same pan add niger seeds . Roast on low flame . They splutter quickly If you don't have niger seeds , use white or black sesame seeds . Taste wise they don't match but gives a nutty texture.
- Now , to a mixer grinder start adding all the ingredients mentioned under masala to stuff .ie roasted peanuts , chopped kopra , roasted niger seeds , sambar powder , chilli powder , garam masala powder , haldi , tamarind , jaggery and salt to taste .
- Add little water and make a thick smooth chutney . Now stuffing is ready .Make sure the paste is not runny . Else it gets difficult to stuff .
- Cut the ridge gourd to about 1.5 " pieces .Cut them in "+" shape just half through the ridge gourd as shown in the pic.Do not cut fully .
- Stuff the masala with a spoon or with your fingers as much as possible into the slitted ridge gourd. Keep the remaining masala aside to use later .
- To a pan,add oil .When they are hot, splutter mustard seeds, urad dal , channa dal and curry leaves.Add onions and saute till they are translucent.
- Now add the stuffed ridge gourd and saute for 2-3 minute.
- Next add tomatoes and remaining stuffing masala .
- Add some water and close the lid and cook .Keep the flame on medium . Stir occasionally to see that it is not burnt.
- After around 8-10 mins , check if Ridge gourds are cooked . They should be soft yet firm to hold shape .
- Lastly garnish with some chopped coriander leaves .
- That's it yummy Stuffed Ridge gourd / Heerekai ennegai is ready to serve . Relish them hot with Chapathi / Jowar bhakri / Rice bhakri / Steamed Rice.
