Fried Bottle Gourd Peel

Ingredients

1 cup peels from bottlegourd1/4 tsp nigella1 tbsp mustard paste1-2 dry red chilli peppers1/2  tsp turmeric powder/paste1 tbsp mustard pastesalt to taste

Steps

• Add the peels, salt and 1/4 of the turmeric into a pot of boling water
• Boil for 10-15 minutes
• Drain and set aside
• Heat the oil over high heat in a pan
• Add the nigella and dr chilis and let splutter for a few minutes
• Add in the boiled peels and fry for 3-4 minutes
• Add the remaining turmeric and cook additional 10 minutes, stirring occassionally
• Add mustard paste and salt to taste
• Stir and cook until the peels are tender

Lau Bhaji - Gourd Bhaji

Ingredients

• 1 medium lau or bottle gourd
• 2 tsp whole cumin seeds
• 2 green chillies, slit into halves lengthwise
• 1 inch finely chopped  fresh ginger
• 1 clove of finely chopped garlic
• 1/2 tspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 tspoon coriander powder
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/4 cilantro finely choppes
• salt to taste

Steps

1. Peel and then slice the gourd into very thin slices
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan
3. When hot, add the cumin seeds and the green chillies, until the seeds start to splutter
4. Add the  in the ginger and stir fry for a minute or two
5. Add the gourd, give it  a stir and then cook covered over medium head for about 5 minutes
6. Add turmeric  powder, coriander  powder, salt and 1/4 cup of water and mix everything up
7. Cook another 5 minutes or until the gourd is tender
8. Add he chopped cilantro and serve