Pulincurry /Ashgourd in Coconut -Tamarind gravy

Ingredients

Ash gourd/Winter melon/Kumbalanga - 3/4 cup skin removed,cut and cubed 

Grated coconut- 1/2 cup

Tamarind Juice- 2 tbsp (half of a gooseberry sized ball,soaked in warm water and juice extracted)

Cumin- 1/2 tsp

Shallots- 3-4

Green chillies- 2 split

Red chillies-2

Curry leaves

Mustard

Oil 

Salt

Method

1. Cook ash gourd in enough water ,with turmeric powder and green chillies.

2. Mean while grind grated coconut ,one or two shallots, cumin together to a fine paste.

3. When ash gourd is done add tamarind juice to this and boil for a few minutes.

4. Add ground  coconut to this and heat for 2-3 minutes.Remove from heat

5. Heat oil in another pan , splutter mustard seeds, add red chillies, curry leaves and  chopped shallots.Saute until the shallots are brown .Pour this into the curry.

Serve hot with rice !!

Olan / Ashgourd stew

Ingredients
Ash gourd chopped - 1 cup
Chembu(Taro/Arvi/Colocasia ) or Potato diced -1/2 cup(optional)
Red chori/Vanpayar - 1/2 cup cooked
Green chillies - 2 or 3 split lengthwise
Thin coconut milk - 1 cup
Thick coconut milk- 1/2 cup
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Salt
Coconut Oil - 1tbsp


Method
1. Remove the rind and seeds from ash gourd ,clean and cut it into small square pieces 
2. Peel and clean the taro/potato and cut it into small square pieces
3. Cook these two along with green chillies ,cooked payar and salt in water . 
4. When water evaporates add thin coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add thick coconut milk and switch off the stove .
6. Add 1 tbsp pf coconut oil along with hand crushed curry leaves
Serve with rice