Beerakaya-Nuvvulu koora (Ridge gourd-Sesame seeds Curry) -Andra recipe

Ridge gourd in english and in malayalm we call it as peechinga.And we do not use sesame seeds or ellu in our curry.But in most of the Andra recipe they use the sesame seeds (nuvuulu in telugu)ellu in malayalam.

Ingredients

1.Ridge gourd or Beerakaya or peechinga - 1
2.Sesame seeds or Nuvuulu or ellu - 3 tsp
3.Green chilly - 4
4.Onion chopped - 1 small
5.Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
6.Red chilly - 2
7.Curry leaves
8.Salt
9.Oil - 1 tsp
10.Chopped coriander leaves

preparation

1.Peel the skin of ridge gourd and cut it in to small pieces.

2.In another pan dry roast the sesame seeds and make powder of it.

3.Heat the oil in a pan add the red chilly and curry leaves to it.Then add the onion and green chillies to it,and saute it well.

4.Then add salt and turmeric powder to it and add the ridge gourd pieces to it .Cover it with a lid and cook it on low flame till the ridge gourd cooked well.

5.Last add the sesame powder and garnish it with chopped coriander leaves........

Gutti Beerakaya -Stuffed ridge gourd (peechinga curry)-Andra recipe

Ridge gourd were used as a bathing sponge in some countries as they contain a lot of xylem or fibers network.And it is known as "loofah" sponges derived from ridge gourd.

The malayalam word for ridge gourd is" peechinga."That we are using in our dishes.This recipe follows the stuffed ridge gourd.

Ingredients

1.Ridge gourd - 250 gm

2.Onion chopped - 1no

3.Ginger and garlic paste - 1 tsp

4.Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

5.Coriander seeds - 1/2 tsp

6.Cumin seeds/Jeerakam - 1/2 tsp

7.Sesame seeds/Ellu - 2 tsp

8. Dry red chillies - 5 no

9.Urad dal /Uzhunnu Parippu/Black gram - 1 tsp

10.Tamarind - Lemon sized

11.Salt

12.Curry leaves

13.Coriander leaves

Preparation

1.Peel the skin of ridge gourd well.And cut it into 1 1/2 " pieces.Make a slit on its top to make the filling.

2.Then to make the stuffing heat the oil in a pan and add the urad dal,red chillies, cumin seeds ,coriander seeds,sesame seeds to it.Saute it till all of them fried well.Then turn off the fire and keep it aside.

3.When it becomes cool grind them in a mixer along with onions,ginger and garlic paste,turmeric powder ,tamarind and salt.

4.Stuff each ridge gourd piece with this filling.Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan and place each of these stuffed ridge gourd in the pan along with the gravy .Keep the flame in simmer and cover the pan with a lid and cook it for 10 mts.In between of every 5 mt stir it.

5.Continue this till all the beerakkaya cooked well.Add curry leaves and coriander leaves to this.

This beerakaya gutti or ridge gourd will be a great combination with rice.