Beerakaya(Ridge gourd) Curry

Ingredients:
2 large peeled and chopped Ridge gourds
3 medium finely chopped Tomatoes
1 medium chopped Onion
2 Green chilies slit length wise
1 tbsp Red chili Powder (adjust)
1 tsp Salt  to taste
2 tbsp Oil

For Seasoning:

2 dry red chili,1 tsp each of Mustard seeds, Cumin, Urad dal, chana dal and turmeric,1 string Curry leaves.

Procedure:

1)Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, once they splutter add cumin, red chili, urad dal, turmeric and curry leaves.
2)Add onions and sauté them till transparent.

3)Add chopped tomatoes and cook them till they are soft . Add ¼ tsp salt to make the tomatoes cook faster.

4)When tomatoes are soft, add chopped ridge gourd (beerakaya) pieces and sauté it for a min. Add chili powder and salt according to taste.

5)Cover with lid and let it cook on medium heat till the curry is done. 

6)Check and adjust the seasoning, keep stirring once in a while to prevent any burning (add little water if required).Cook until all the water is evaporated and the beerakaya (ridge gourd) pieces are cooked to a very soft texture.

7)Enjoy the curry with rice or roti.

Note:check the taste of ridge gourd flesh as some times they might be bitter. If the flesh itself is bitter, you should discard it.