Menthaya Kuzambu [ Nelai style ]

Ingredients:

• Raw pumkin -  small piece [ cut in to cubes ]
• Sambhar onion - 5 to 6 [ peeled ]
• Ladies finger - 4 [ cut in to 1 inch pieces ]
• Brinjal - 2 [ cut in to cubes ]
• Drumstick - 1 [ cut in to 2 inch pieces ]
• Tamarind paste - 1 tsp
• Jaggery - little
• Salt - as required
• Seasame oil - 2 tbsp

For grinding masala:

• Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
• Tuvar dal - 1 tbsp
• Methi seeds - 1/2tsp
• Dry red chili - 4 to 5
• Grated fresh coconut - 2 tbsp [ optional ]
• Urad dal - 1 tsp

 [ Fry all ingredients in little oil to golden colour and grind in a mixer to a smooth paste ]

For seasoning:

• Seasame oil - 2 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Methi seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Dry red chili - 1 [ broken ]
• Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves - few

Method:

First take a big kadai, add oil. When the oil becomes hot, add seasonings to that. When it pops, add vegetables to that and mix well. Stir for 5 minutes and add tamarind paste along with required water.  Allow to boil for 10 minutes or till the vegetables cooked. Now add the ground  masala to that. Mix well and check the consistency of the kuzhambu.  Allow to boil 5 minutes more till the kuzhambu gets ready. Finely add curry leaves to that and remove from the gas. Serve with steamed hot rice adding little ghee on the top along with roasted curry.