Stuffed snake gourd

Stuffed padwal in Marathi

Time: 40 to 50 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 persons

Ingredients:
1/4 kg Padwal (Snake gourd) (Use fresh and tender padwal)
For tempering - 1 tbsp oil, pinch of cumin seeds, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp red chili powder.
Stuffing:
3/4 cup fresh coconut, scraped
5 tbsp Besan
2 tbsp roasted peanuts powder (coarse)
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp hing
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp amchoor powder (you may add thick tamarind pulp or lemon juice)
1/2 tsp carom seeds (Ajwain)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp sesame seeds
2 tsp sugar
3-4 tbsp oil
Salt to taste

Method:
1) Make 1 inch pieces of padwal. Clean the core. Rub some salt and Steam cook till 70 % done. Drain the water and place the pieces over wired rack (or chhalni) for 15-20 minutes.
2) Dry roast besan. Transfer it to a mixing bowl. Add roasted peanuts powder, coconut, red chili powder, turmeric powder, hing, cumin powder, coriander powder, amchoor powder, carom seeds, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, sugar and salt to taste. Mix nicely. Stuff gently in cooked snake gourd pieces.
3) Take a heavy bottomed shallow frying pan. Add around 2 tbsp oil. Arrange stuffed snake gourd pieces. Cover and cook. Change the sides occasionally. If you feel that little oil is needed, then drizzle some oil around.
Once snake gourd is well cooked, serve hot with chapati.

Tip:
1) While cooking add few drops of oil over stuffing. It will help to cook the stuffing well.
2) Steam cooking is required. Padwal pieces don't get cooked thoroughly if used directly.
3) It will take around 25 to 30 minutes to cook padwal pieces. Hence, use heavy bottomed pan. Othewise, padwal pieces and the stuffing will burn.