Ridge gourd (Peerkangai) skin Thogayal

Category: Lunch
Preparation Time: 5 mins    
Cooking Time: 10-15 mins
Servings: For 4-5 persons
 

Ridge gourd Skin Thogayal

Ingredients:

• Ridge gourd skin, chopped -  2 cups tightly packed (from 2 long ridge gourds)
• Sesame oil- 1 tbsp
• Chana dhal- 2 tbsp
• Urad dhal- 2 tbsp
• Curry leaves- few
• Asafoetida- a pinch
• Red chillies- 3-4 nos (Adjust as per taste)
• Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
• Pepper- 1 tsp
• Tamarind paste - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - to taste

Method:

1. Wash the ridge gourds well and peel the skin and chop into pieces
   
2. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan and add the chopped ridge gourd skin pieces along with little salt; Saute well till it becomes soft and tender
   
3. Once done, remove it and keep aside
4. In the same pan, add the remaining oil and once its hot add Channa Dhal, Urad Dhal, Red chillies, Curry leaves, Cumin seeds, Pepper and asafoetida and fry well till the dhal turns golden brown
   
5. If we are using tamarind pieces, we can fry that too now
6. Allow all the sauted items to cool down 
   
7. Add required salt and tamarind paste(if using paste); Grind them to a coarse mixture (Add 1-2 tsp of water only if required)
8. Transfer to a container and serve with hot rice
   
    
9. It can be stored well in refrigerator for 3-4 days and even for a week