DONDAKAYA/TINDORA VEPUDU WITH PEANUTS

Before going into the details of this recipe, I would like to thank each and everyone for their wishes and their caring words...That really made me feel good!!! Coming to me though am not much into cooking these days(Don't worry am eating:) ) most of the recipes that you'll come across in the coming days are quite old recipes that i have tried and tasted(some months back).

Dondakaya/Tindora is one such vegetable that people either hate it or just love it. I, for one donot belong to any of these category, but still prepare it once in awhile. This is astir fry version that requires tindoras to be crunchy in texture even after stirring it for over 25-25mins.

INGREDIENTS:

Dondakaya/Tindora/Ivy Gourds-----1/2 lb or 250gms appx of long variety(not the round ones)

Peanuts------------------------------1 tbsp

Fresh curry leaves-------------------10-12

Turmeric powder---------------------1/2 tsp
Dry Red chillies-----------------------2
Mustard seeds------------------------1/2 tsp

Oil------------------------------------2 tbp

Salt-----------------------------------to taste

To be Dry-roasted and ground to a coarse pwd:
Peanuts------------------------------2 tbp
Cumin Seeds-------------------------1 tsp

Coriander seeds----------------------1/2 tbp

Dry red chillis------------------------3-5DIRECTIONS:

1.Heat Oil in a cooking vessel and once hot add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.

2.Add the curry leaves ,stir them. Roast 1 tbp of peanuts till light brown.

3.Adjust the flame to medium-low and add the freshly lengthwise-sliced tindora or frozen ones to the peanuts.

4 .Combine well and keep sauteing on medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes then add turmeric,salt and let it cook covered for approx 15-18 minutes or until the tindora lose moisture and have a wrinkled appearance and turns to a deeper shade.

5 .Keep stirring in between and see that you dont burn or overcook them. When you see that tindoras are done with that nice wrinkled and crunchy texture add the ground coarse pwd and mix well.
6. Let them be cooked for another 3-5 minutes on medium flame.Turn off and serve hot.