Onion Stuffed Snake Gourd

Potlakaya Ulli Karam.

Snake gourd is seeded and briefly boiled in salted water till tender. A spice mixture is made with onions and red chili powder. The coarse onion mixture is then stuffed into snake gourds and cooked in tempered oil till soft. Serve potlakaya ulli karam with steamed rice or with roti.
Makes: around 6 Onion. Stuffed Snake Gourd.

Ingredients:

• Snake Gourd 3 (around 8 inch Long)
• Onion 1 Large
• Red Chili Powder 1 tsp
• Garlic 4 Cloves
• Tamarind 1 inch sized Ball
• Cilantro few Sprigs
• Salt to taste

Talimpu:

• Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
• Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Asafoetida a pinch
• Curry Leaves 4
• Oil 1 tsp

Method of preparation:

Wash and finely chop the cilantro leaves.
Lightly bruise the garlic cloves without peeling.
Peel the snake gourd leaving some of the peel intact.
Remove ends and wash the snake gourd.
Cut the snake gourd into halves and discard all the seeds.
If using a long snake gourd, cut the snake gourd into 3 – 4 inch long pieces.

Bring to boil around 2 cups of water, add snake gourd halves, tamarind and salt.
Boil till snake gourd becomes little soft but still holding its shape.

Peel and roughly chop the onion.
Coarsely grind onion, red chili powder and salt.

Stuff around 1 1/2 tbsps of the ground onion mixture into each snake gourd cylinders.
Make sure to stuff leaving around half an inch from the ends of the snake gourd.

Heat oil in a nonstick pan, add all talimpu ingredients in order and add whole garlic cloves.
Immediately place the stuffed snake gourd onto the pan and sprinkle little water.
Cook covered on low flame for around 5 – 8 minutes or until snake gourd cooks completely.
Uncover and fry the snake gourd on both sides till it turns golden brown on the skin.
Garnish with cilantro and serve onion stuffed snake gourd with steamed rice.
Notes: Not boiling the snake gourd before stuffing takes longer time to cook the stuffed snake gourd.

Suggestions: If the snake gourd is not cooked properly, add a splash of water to the pan and cook covered on low flame till done.
Variations: When stuffing the raw snake gourd with ground onion mixture, add thick tamarind pulp to the mixture.
Other Names: Onion Stuffed Snake Gourd, Potlakaya Ulli Karam.