Poosanikai Poricha Kootu / Pumpkin Olan / Ashgourd Lentils Curry

Winter Melon Lentils Curry:

Ingredients:

Winter melon 1 large piece - peeled, de seed, diced
Mung dal (lentils) cooked 2 cups
Salt
Turmeric 1 pinch
Oil few spoons

Wet-grind These:

Green chilies 2
Grated coconut 1/4 cup
Toasted Urid dal 1 tablespoon
Cumin seeds 1 spoon
Ginger 1"grated

For Tempering:

Oil few spoons
Mustard seeds 1/4 spoon
Cumin seeds 1/4 spoon
Asafoetida 1 pinch
Curry leaves few.

Method:

In a wide wok, heat oil. Add diced pumpkin followed by salt, turmeric and cooked lentils. Cover and cook briefly. Further add the wet-ground paste to it, continue cooking, until tender.

In a separate pan, heat oil and add the tempering spices. Run this over the kootu/olan made above. Serve warm as a side dish to South Indian meals.