Snake Gourd is one of those vegetables which are rarely used and I think we have limited knowledge of preparations of snake gourd. This dish is an authentic Bengali dish made of snake gourd as I am using "Paanch Phoron" ( mixture of Mustard, Cumin, Fenugreek, Black cumin and Sauf) which is the common phoron (tarka) in bengali veg curry and I love the aroma of that. This curry can be prepared with Parwal also as both the vegetables belong to same family.

INGREDIENTS:

500 gms Snake Gourd
2 Large Potatoes
10 gms ginger piece.
3 green chili's
1 tomato (chopped)
1 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp roasted cumin powder.
1 tsp garam masala powder (powder of clove, cinnamon and cardamom)
1 tsp. paanch Phoron ( mixture of Mustard, Cumin, Fenugreek, Black cumin and Sauf)
2 red chilis
Salt
Sugar
1 tsp. Ghee

METHOD:

1. Wash and cut potato and snake gourd into small pieces. Heat a little oil in a pan. Add the vegetables and little salt and saute for about 8 to 10 minutes. Take it out and keep aside.

2. In a grinder grind ginger , green chili and roasted cumin powder to make a fine paste

3. Heat oil in a pan and add red chilli's and paanch phoron. Add ginger paste and fry for a couple of minutes. Now mix 1 tsp turmeric powder in 2 tbsp water and add the paste to the fried masala. Fry the masala for about 5 minutes. Now add chopped tomato and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add fried Snake gourd and potato pieces. Stir for sometime and add Salt , garam masala powder and a 1/2 tsp. of sugar.

4. Add 1 cup of water. Cover with a lid and let it cook for 6 to 8 minutes with stirring in between. Once it is cooked, add 1 tsp. of ghee and then turn off the heat.

Serve hot with Plain rice or chapatti.