Bottle gourd/ ghia thoku

bottle gourd peeled & cut into small pieces 1/2 kg         onion 2 big cut fine

tomatoes 2 big cut fine      green chilies 3-4        fresh coriander leaves

salt     oil 2 tbsp       turmeric pdr 1/2 tsp

to grind-

poppy seeds  3 tbsp       coriander seeds 2 tbsp          cumin seeds 2 tsp

garlic pearls 6           ginger 1"    red chilies 3-4          

Method

1) In a heavy pan, add oil, once it is hot, add onion & wee bit of salt  & fry till transparent.

2) add bottle gourd pieces & 2 tbsp water, cover & cook till it is 3/4 done.

3) in the mean time, roast poppy seeds, powder it with coriander seeds & cumin fine, then add garlic & ginger grind with little water with red chilies fine.

4) when bottle gourd is 3/4 done, add the ground paste & chopped tomatoes, salt to taste with some water & cook covered, stirring  in between for about 10 minutes till the raw smell of garlic goes & the gravy gets thick.serve garnished with fresh coriander leaves chopped fine.

this goes well with hot rice, paranthas.