Sorakaya koora (Anapakaya/kaddu/bottle gourd)

Bottle gourd is a tropical vegetable that seems to be originated in India and Africa. Gourds in general are low in saturated fats and cholesterol. They are rich in fibre and vitamins Riboflavin, Thiamine and vit C and milnerals - Iron, Zinc, Magnesium and Manganese. It is a good candidate for a weight loss diet. It is used in traditional medicine for treating indigestion, acidity and ulcers. Learn more about bottle gourd here.
I would like to share here a andhra style recipe for very appetizing and nourishing vegetable side using bottle gourd also called Sorakaya or anapakaya in telugu

Ingredients:

1 big sorakaya peeled and cut to small cubes
2 green peppers sliced
6-8 curry leaves,
1 tsp ginger paste
2 table spoons oil
1 tsp nutmeg
½ cup milk
3 cups water
2 tbsp maida or besan
Salt to taste
1tsp red pepper powder
For tempering:
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 teaspoons urad daal
A pinch of turmeric

Method:
Heat oil in a pan and add the tempering ingredients in order mentioned. When the mustard seeds start to splutter, add the red pepper, ginger paste and curry leaves. Stir in sliced green pepper and sorakaya, mix in with 2 cups of water and milk and cook until tender. Add the salt,red pepper powder and nutmeg and mix. Mix the maida or besan in one cup water and mix to prevent any lumps. Now slowly stir in this mix into the sorakaya curry and stir to avoid lumps. Cook for 5 more min. Take off the flame and serve hot.
Serves 6

Serving tips: This is a yummy vegetable side with puri or chapathi, and also can be served with rice

This dish has been presented to the Side dish event hosted by Viki's kitchen.

Viki's Kitchen.: Announcing an event ... 'Side dish for chapathi'