Snake Gourd/Padavalanga Thoran

Ingredients:

1. Snake gourd / Padavalanga - 2 medium sized (approx 1 pound)chopped into small pieces
2. Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
3. Shallots - 3 chopped
4. Green chillies - 2 chopped
5. Curry leaves - 1 spring
6. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
7. salt - to taste
8. Garlic - 2 cloves chopped fine(optional)
9. mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp.

Method:

Crush together (with your hand)the grated coconut, shallots,garlic, green chillies , turmeric powder ad curry leaves and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds.

When it splutters add the vegetable and salt to taste and stir fry for 2 minutes.

Add in the coconut mixture and mix well.

Cover and cook on medium flame until the vegetable is cooked .

If it gives out any moisture stir fry in an open pan on high flame until the mixture is dry.

Serve with rice.

NOTE: This is the basic recipe for any kind of Thoran .You can use cabbage, beetroot,carrots, kovakka,bittergourd,beans,cauliflower etc and follow the same method.

Just adjust cooking time for each vegetable.