Traditional Heritage

Winter Melon Lentil stew (Kootu)

Cook Time:

20 min

Prep Time:

10 min

Servings:

4

Ingredients

  • 4-5 cups diced winter melon
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ¼ cup bengal gram dal
  • ½ tsp mustard seeds
  • 2-4 red chillies
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • ⅓ cup grated coconut
  • 4-6 cashews
  • ¼ tsp asafetida
  • Few curry leaves

Directions

  • Cook the cleaned and diced wintermelon with 3-4 cups of water.
  • Make sure you have just enough water and not a lot more.
  • Add the winter melon and turmeric and a couple of curry leaves.
  • Add salt and cook covered for 4-6 minutes.
  • In the meanwhile, blend the red chillies – 1, cumin, cashew nuts & the coconut into a smooth paste adding ⅓-½ cup of water in the blender.
  • The winter melon should be cooked and soft and transparent after 4-6 minutes.
  • Add the ground paste to the pan, mix and allow to boil for a few minutes.
  • Switch off the stove and heat a small pan and add oil.
  • Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and allow them to crackle.
  • Then add the chana dal, red chilly, remaining curry leaves and asafetida and roast for a minute or so.
  • Add the tempering to the stew and mix well.
  • This dal can be eaten with rice or as a side for chapathis.

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