Pointed gourd curry with sunflower seeds || Patoler dalna with sunflower seeds

Potol or Pointed gourd is a vegetable I love since my childhood, but no one in the family likes this. Any simple curry or fried potol also goes well with a plain Dal Rice platter. Tried this pure veg pointer gourd curry with potato and by adding sunflower seeds paste and trust me it turned out yummilicious. I hope you will enjoy cooking it too and do please share your experience with me. 

Ingredients

1. Potol or Pointed gourd - 8-9
2. Potato - 2 
3. Sunflower seeds - 2-3 tsp 
4. Salt to taste
5. Tomatoes - 2
6. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
7. Green chilli - 2-3 (finely chopped)
8. Ginger - 1" 
9. Fresh coriander leaves - handful (finely chopped)
10. Mustard oil for frying
11. Cardamom - 2-3
12. Red Dry chilli - 2
13. Bay leaf - 1
14. Nigella seeds - 1/2 tsp
15. Green chilli - 2-3 slit
16. Asafoetida - 1 pinch
17. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
18. Cumin powder - 1 tsp
19. Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
20. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
21. Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
22. Sugar - a pinch (optional)
23. Ghee - 1/2 tsp

Process

1. Wash, peel and halve the pointed gourd. For the potatoes, cut into big pieces after washing and peeling.

2. Make a fine puree of tomatoes and ginger. Keep aside for later use.

3. In a blender jar add sunflower seeds, little bit of water and make a smooth paste, this will help to thickening the gravy and give a nice flavor.

4. In a pan heat 3-4 tsp mustard oil, once hot, add the gourd with little bit of salt and turmeric powder and let it get golden brown on all the sides. Drain and keep aside. Same way fry potatoes adding salt and turmeric till golden brown. 

5. In the same pan, add bay leaves, cardamom, red dry chilli, cinnamon stick, nigella seeds, green chillies, asafoetida and mix well. Now add the powdered spices - cumin powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and saute for few seconds. Add a splash of water so that it doesn't burn. Add ginger paste, salt, sugar and tomato puree and mix well, simmer and let it cook till oil leaves the sides. 

6. Add sunflower seeds paste and saute for few minutes and then add fried gourd and potatoes. Again splash a little water, adjust the seasoning and cook covered till done. 

7.Once done, add ghee and cover it. Serve hot with steamed rice or luchi.