Snakegourd Raita/Pudalangai Pachidi

Yogurt, buttermilk etc have been an integral part of every indian, but in different forms like s.indians have to finish off any meal with curd rice or curd and in other parts they have it has sweet/salt lassi or raitas. I get easily bored with tomato, cucumber, onion raitas and have tasted others like spinach & onion, radish which taste good. The one that recently caught my eyes were "Snake gourd" raita(from a south indian cookbook). I enjoy any dish made out of Snake gourd and during summer time every week there is something made of it, since here i get fresh ones at this time only.

Ingredients :

~ 1 Snake gourd.
~ 2 Green chillies.
~ 2 Tsp Cashewnuts.
~ 1 Tsp Coconut.
~ 1 Tsp Musturd for tempering.
~ 2 Tsp Oil.
~ Salt as required.
~ 2 Cups beaten curds or thick buttermilk.

Method :

~ Slice the snakegourd finely. Fry them till they are soft in 1 Tsp Oil.
~ Grind cashewnuts, coconut, green chillies in a blender/mixie.
~ In a bowl mix the fried snakegourd, ground mixture and curd.
~ Add salt and mustard just before serving.

Can be enjoyed with any rice .

Note : Instead of cashewnuts 'Poppy Seeds' can be substituted.

This is my entry for JFI # 5 hosted by Vineela of Vineelascuisine.