Bottle Gourd Raita

Ingredients:

Bottle Gourd 1/2 of Small One.
Yogurt 1 1/2 Cups
Mustard Seeds a big Pinch
Salt to Taste

Talimpu: 

Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
Broken Dried Red Chiles 3 – 4
Asafoetida a Big Pinch
Curry Leaves 5
Oil 2 tsps

Method of preparation:

Lightly scrape, wash, remove ends and grate the bottle gourd on thicker side of the grater.
Mix grated bottle gourd with salt and keep aside for 5 – 10 minutes.
Crush the mustard seeds with a big pinch of salt.
Whisk yogurt in a mixing bowl.

Heat oil in a pan, add all other talimpu ingredients in order.
When mustard seeds start spluttering, remove from heat and keep aside to cool down.

In a mixing bowl, mix together yogurt with bottle gourd, crushed mustard seeds, tempering and salt (if required).
Serve bottle gourd raita with steamed rice or with roti.

Notes: Make sure not to make grated bottle gourd into a paste.

Suggestions: Adjust the consistency of the raita with water.
Other Names: Bottle Gourd Raita, Anapakaya Perugu Pachadi, Sorakaya Perugu Pachadi.