Budhu Kumbalakai Sambar

Ingredients:
2 cup Budhu Kumbalakai (Winter Melon), chopped
3/4 cup fresh/frozen shredded Coconut
1tsp Coriander seed
1/2tsp Cumin seed
1tsp Turmeric powder
2 Red Chillies
4 Curry leaves
grape size Tamarind
grape sized Jaggary
pinch of Asafoetida powder
Salt to taste

2tsp Canola oil (or any cooking oil)
1/4tsp Mustard seeds
1 red chilly
3 to 4 Curry leaves

Method:

• Cover kumbalakai in water, jaggary and turmeric. Cook until tender

• Heat a pan with 1tsp oil in medium flame. To it add cumin seeds, coriander seeds and red chillies. Fry until it gives out a nice aroma
• Grind shredded coconuts, tamarind, curry leaves, fried seeds and chillies into a smooth paste with sufficient water {If coconut is frozen; use hot water}
• To the cooked kumbalakai add salt and puree. Add water if required. Let it boil properly.
• Heat a pan with oil; add mustard & red chilly. Once mustard starts to splutter add curry leaves and asafoetida powder
• Add seasoning to the sambar

Nutrition Facts of Winter Melon -

• Good source of fiber, vitamin C and iron
• Contains vitamin E, calcium and protien