Beerakaya Pachadi (Ridge gourd chutney)

Ingredients:

Ridge gourd/Beerakaya - 1

Green chillies - 6

Garlic pods - 4

Tamarind pulp - 1-2 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tbsp

Urad dal - 1 tbsp

Red chillies - 2

Curry leaves - 1 leaflet

Turmeric - pinch

Salt - as per taste

Coriander leaves - 3-4 tbsp

Procedure:

1. Wash,clean, peel and chop ridge gourd in to small pieces and set aside.
2. Take a wide pan, heat oil, add cumin seeds, crushed garlic pods, chopped green chillies, ridge gourd pieces, turmeric and saute them with closed lid until they turn soft.
3. Let them cool for few minutes. Blend them with tamarind pulp and salt to get a coarse mixture.
4. Finally season the chutney with urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, curry leaves and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

TIP: Ridge gourd has a natural sweet taste. Add little more green chillies compared to other chutnies to mask the sweet taste.