Winter Melon(Neer Pusanikkai) Kootu

Ingredients:
Winter melon - 200 gms
Mung bean (Green Gram/Pacha paruppu) - 2 tablespoons
Lentils (Tur dal) - 1 tablespoon
Split chickpeas (Kadalai paruppu/Chana dal) - 1 tablespoon
Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Red chilli - 2
Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
Grated coconut - 2 tablespoons
Black gram (Uzhundhu) - 1 teaspoon
Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
Curry leaves - few
Coriander leaves - few
Raw rice - 1 tablespoon
Onion - 1 medium sized
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tablespoon

Method:
Wash raw rice and soak in 1/4 cup of warm water for 15-20 minutes.

Wash mung bean, Lentils, split chickpeas, add 1-2 cups of water, turmeric powder and cook, until the dals are soft. Mash it and keep aside.

Cut winter melon into small pieces. Peel off the skin and discard the seeds. Cook it in a pan or microwave with little water, until they become soft and transparent. Drain the water and keep aside, you can add it at the end if the gravy is too thick.

Grind coconut, cumin seeds, soaked raw rice with little water to a thick paste.

Heat a pan with oil. Add mustard seeds, once it starts splitter, add urad dal, red chillies, curry leaves and fry for a minute. Add chopped onions and fry until onions become golden color. Add cooked winter melon, mashed dal and coconut paste and mix well. Add salt to taste and little water can be added if it is too thick. Keep stirring for 10 minutes and put off the flame.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Cooking time : 45-60 minutes
Serves 4 persons