Herekai Bajji/ Ridged gourd Curry

Ridged gourd grows on a climber. It used to very common to have one in the backyard or sometimes on the compound wall /fence! So this is one go-to vegetable we are so used to back home. Just pluck a few gourds here and there bingo you have a wonderful curry ready in minutes. This is one of those made-in-minutes rustic curries. We love it for its complexity of flavours and simplicity of ingredients. Thanks mom again for yet another old-world-long-forgotten recipe.

We will need,

Ridged Gourd                            1 cubed
Eggplant/ Bringal (Indian, small)  2 cubed
Green Tomatoes                         2 chopped
Grey Squash         (Optional)      2 chopped
Garlic                                         4-5 cloves
Green Chillies                              4-5 (adjust according to taste)
Fresh Coconut                            3 tbsp
Turmeric                                      a pinch
Butter                                          1 tbsp
Mustard seeds                              1/2 tsp
Curry leaves                                 a Handful

Method:

• Combine all the vegetables, turmeric and coconut in a pressure cooker or a large pot and cook till done. Simmer.
• Heat 1/4 tbsp butter in a pan. Toss in the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
• Once they crackle, pour it over the cooked vegetable mixture. Stir in the remaining butter and serve with Ragi Mudde. 

Actually the original recipe calls for no "oggarane" or the Mustard tempering. But then I cannot finish a dish without the "oggarane"!