Snake gourd Usili (Podalangai puttu/ Usili/ made with channa dal)

preparation time	15 mins
cooking time	30 mins
Total time	1 hour

Snake gourd has plenty of nutrition being inherently, high on water content vegetable, it provides a cooling effect on the body, having zero cholesterol thereby augmenting heart health and has plenty of vitamins and minerals to facilitate key metabolic functions in the body.

Author - Aharika

Cuisine - Indian

Servings - 4

Ingredients

1. 250 grams snake gourd chopped / pudalangai
2. to taste salt
3. 3 tbsps  oil
4. 1 tsp mustard seeds
5. 5 - 6 curry leaves
6. coriander leaves chopped
7. 6 tbsps channa dal soaked
8. 4 to 5  green chilli
9. 1 pinch turmeric powder
10.  salt as required
11. Ginger 1 inch
12. Garlic  4 to 5
13. 

    
    

To Grind:

• Channa Dal – 5 tsp (soaked for half an hour)
• Green Chilli –  5 nos
• Garlic – 5 
• Ginger- 1 inch
• Fennel Seeds (Sombu) – ½ tsp
• Salt 2 pinch

Method for Preparation:

1. Wash and soak Channa dal in water for an half an hour.
2. Then drain channa dal completely and add it to the mixer.
3. Along with it, add green chilli, garlic, ginger, fennel seeds (Sombu), and salt to taste and grind coarsely without adding water.
4. Boil the mixture in a idli cooker for 10 mins. Take after 10 mins and smash it thoroughly and keep aside.

1. Wash snake gourd thoroughly and chop it into small even sized pieces.
2. Take a pan. add 3 tbs of oil, add mustard seeds and oce it bursts add onion and saute it till brown.
3. Now add chopped snake gourd into it and saute it well and close the pan for 10 mins (not more than 10 mins and do not add water to cook it). 
4. After 10 mins, add salt to it and finally add the grinded mixture into it.
5. Saute the entire mixture in low flame for 15 minutes.
6. Turn off the stove. Do not disturb it for 10 minutes and after 10 mins, transfer it to a serving dish.
7. Serve it and its a best side dish for rasam rice.