Pudalangai Parippu Usili / Snake gourd cooked with mashed dal

"Most of us have fond memories of food from our childhood. Whether it was our mom's homemade lasagna or a memorable chocolate birthday cake, food has a way of transporting us back to the past." - Homaro Cantu

Food has an amazing tendency to bring back memories. Here is one such recipe. 

This recipe happened by chance. First, I was intrigued by the name, also I am a big fan of traditional Tamil Brahmin recipes. So, thought let me try this.

My neighbor, during my growing up years was a Tamil Brahmin. I literally spent my early years living in their house than mine. I so loved the food that I grew up almost a vegetarian.My memories of their food was bland but wholesome. I had no idea about healthy eating then, but I liked each one of their preparations.

I remember eating this dish sometime in those initial years. Now, 25 years later, this dish literally brought back the child in me.

As I was preparing this dish, the aroma suddenly seemed familiar. I was once again transported to Aunty's kitchen. I could clearly recollect me running around their house, waiting for food to be served. While my brothers would rush back home for food, I would linger around hoping and praying that I would be invited for lunch.It always worked.

Aunty is known for her generosity. Each one in their house had a plate of their own. Aunty kept aside one for me too. So unofficially, I was a member of their family. Prabechi ( Aunty's daughter) was the elder sister I never had. More on that, some other day.

Year round, they celebrated a whole lot of festivals. Every month, there was some pooja or the other. All that I looked forward to was the festival sweets and snacks. What I would not do to get those home made goodies now. Ahh...the pleasures of childhood.

Ingredients :

Snake Gourd / Pudalangai - 1 Large
Toor dal - 1 cup
Channa dal - 1/2 cup
Urad dal - 1 tbsp
Rice - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - few
Red chillies -2
Green chillies - 1
Asafoetida powder - a pinch
Salt to Taste

Method :

1. Soak toor dal, urad dal, channa dal, and rice in water for at least an hour or two.
2. Wash and clean the snake gourd. Cut it into small pieces and cook with a little water and salt.
3. Keep aside the cooked snake gourd.
4. Grind the soaked dal and rice mixture adding salt, green chillies and red chillies to an almost fine paste.
5. Steam cook the ground mixture for 15 minutes.
6. The dal mixture will solidify on steaming. Wait for it to cool. Break the mixture and scramble them. Keep aside.
7. In a pan, heat oil. Add mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida powder. Now add the steam cooked dal mixture to it.
8. Stir it well and cook till the dal softens.
9. Now add the cooked snake gourd to it and mix everything well.
10. Turn off the flame and serve hot with rice.

Recipe Source from here.