Dalia Stuffed Ridge Gourd

Gutti Beerakaya.

Dalia / roasted gram is powdered along with other spices and made into wet powder with tamarind and oil. Ridge gourd is slightly scraped leaving most of its skin intact and stuffed with prepared dalia mixture. The stuffed ridge gourd is cooked on low flame till its soft. Serve this stuffed ridge gourd with steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Makes: around 10 pieces of Dalia Stuffed Ridge Gourd.

Ingredients:

• Ridge Gourd 2 ( app. 10 inch long)
• Dalia / Roasted Gram 1/2 Cup
• Dry Coconut 1/4 Cup (grated)
• Tamarind 1 inch sized ball
• Coriander Seeds 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp
• Whole Red Chiles 2
• Red Chile Powder 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder a pinch
• Cilantro few Sprigs
• Salt to taste
• Oil 1 tsp

Talimpu:

• Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Curry Leaves 4
• Broken Red Chiles 4
• Asafoetida a big pinch
• Oil 1 tbsp

Method of preparation:

Lightly scrape, remove ends, wash and chop ridge gourd into 2 inch long cylinders.
Make a slit in each ridge gourd vertically twice and keep aside.

Wash and finely chop the cilantro.
Soak tamarind in few tablespoons of water and extract all the thick pulp.
Grind dalia, dry coconut, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, whole red chiles, red chile powder, turmeric powder and salt into fine powder without adding any water.
In a small mixing bowl, mix together ground dalia powder, tamarind extract and oil.

Stuff each ridge gourd cylinder with at least tablespoon of the prepared dalia powder.

Heat oil in a pan on medium heat, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When mustard seeds start spluttering, arrange the stuffed ridge gourd in the pan.
Add few splashes of water into the pan and cook covered on low flame for around 5 minutes.
Turn the ridge gourd on other side, add another splash of water and cook covered on low flame for another 3 – 5 minutes.
When ridge gourd turns soft but not mushy, uncover and fry for a minute or two to roast the outer skin a bit.
Stir in any remaining dalia powder, chopped cilantro and remove from heat.
Serve dalia stuffed ridge gourd with steamed rice or with roti.
Notes: Make sure ridge gourd is cooked properly before removing from heat.

Suggestions: If ridge gourd is not cooked properly, put the curry back on heat. Add few tablespoons of water and cook covered on low flame till done.
Variations: You can also stuff the ridge gourd with besan, or stuff with peanuts etc…
Other Names: Dalia Stuffed Ridge Gourd, Dalia Bharwan Turai, Gutti Beerakaya