Ash Gourd Curry

Ash gourd is also called as white gourd, wax gourd or white pumpkin. I am sure all of us, especially those that live south of India, use this vegetable often. It is loaded with nutrients and has many medicinal properties. 
Ash gourd curry is as tasty as other dishes made from this simple, watery vegetable.

Ingredients:

• Ash gourd - 1kg
• Coconut scraped or finely cut - 1 small cup
• Green chilles - 4
• Turmeric powder
• Coriander leaves - 1 small bunch
• Oil (preferably ground-nut) - 2 tblsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Asofoetida - 1/4tsp
• Jaggery - 2tsp
• Salt to taste

Method of preparation:
1. First of all, cut the ash gourd into small cubes. Like this:

2. Heat 2tblsp oil in a wok and splutter mustard seeds. Add the ash gourd cubes and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder. Saute them "without" adding any water (adding water makes it soggy). Since ash gourd contains lot of water,it leaves out water when heated. This itself is enough for cooking.Make sure to saute the cubes often. Takes about 20mins for the cubes to be cooked.

3. Meanwhile, saute greenchillies and asfoetida with 1/2tsp oil in a small frying pan.
                
4. Grind sauted greenchilles , asofoetida, pinch of turmeric powder  along with small cup of scraped or finely cut cocnut in a mixer.

5. When the Ash gourd cubes are almost cooked ,add required amount of salt ,jaggery,  ground paste  and  finely chopped coriander leaves.Mix well and allow to cook completely.

6. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with more coriander leaves.The very healthy and tasty Ash gourd curry is ready and can be had either with chapathis or rice.