Padwal Chi Bhaji ( Snake Gourd Stir-fry)

Snake gourd or any type of gourd is very common in our meals, it’s healthy, easy to make and quick cooking vegetable. This simple recipe is one of my favourites and it goes really well with roti, dal, kadhi as a side.

There are many different ways of cooking this vegetable, I like to cook it with a lot of coconut, chana dal and flavour it with Kala Masala, the special spice blend from Maharashtra. If you don’t have it or can’t find it then use Garam Masala.

Here is how you make it!

Ingredients:

• 1 long or 2 small snake gourds cut in half cm rounds
• 1 onion small diced
• 4-5 garlic cloves roughly chopped
• 3-4 green chillies
• ½ cup coconut shredded
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp kala masala or garam masala
• 2 tbsp Chana dal soaked in water for 1 hour
• 1 tbsp oil, I used coconut oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• A few curry leaves
• Coriander for garnishing

Instructions:

Make a paste of garlic, chillies and coconut, keep it aside.

Heat oil, add mustard seeds. Let them splutter, add the curry leaves and onions. Sauté for 2 minutes and add the Chana dal, sauté for 2 minutes. Add the coconut-garlic paste and cook till the oil comes out.

Add in the kala masala, red chilli powder and snake gourd. Cook till it’s cooked.

Garnish with coriander and serve with roti.