Bottle Gourd with Channa Dal /Soraka Kootu

Of course, this is an another tasty dish...falvoured dal recipe..We all know this.....
apart from this.....watz spl today...
letz see some interesting facts about bottle gourds.......
Bottle gourd/ calabash/Opa quash –belongz to the cucumber family is considered to have itz origin from Africa and commonly found in European and Asian countries. It shapes differ from region to region depending on the variety of seeds planted.
Why the name BOTTLE GOURD?
The name "bottle gourd" is especially appropriate, because this plant species is one of the few from which useful and lasting containers can be made. I didn’t know this…….They can be used even as decorative pieces (right from small to massive container shapes…amazing!!!).

Most of the contemporary tribal shapes are made out this vegetable’s firm shell.....Incredibily AWESOME......
A few decor pieces which got online…(Courtsey of:www.suewalters.com)


Alright!!!!!!!Letz jump in to the recipe making process:)



Ingredients
Channa Dal 1 cup

Bottle Gourd 1 cup
Onions ½ cup (chopped)
Red chillies 1
Turmeric powder ¾ tsp
Chilly powder ¼ tsp(optional)
Hing powder a pinch
Ginger 1 tsp (chopped)
Tomato 1 (chopped)
Tamarind paste 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds 1 tsp
Oil 1 tsp
Salt to taste
To grind:
Shredded Coconut ½ cup
Green chillies 6
Cumin seeds 2 tsp
Clove 1
Cinnamon –tiny stick (optional)
To Do:
1.Dice bottle gourd in to desired cubes.
2. Wash the dal, pressure cook dal and the vegetable with a pinch of turmeric powder, a drop of oil and water (the dal and vegetable should be covered) for a whistle or two.
3. Heat the pan, add mustard seeds, red chillies, hing powder, onions, chopped ginger, tomatoes and sauté it well.

4. Add this to the dal mixture; now add ¼ tsp of chilly powder (optional), the grinded paste, salt to taste.(if you wish,you can also add tamarind paste to it..)
5. Let it boil for 10-15 minutes
6. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve hot with Rice!