Paruppu Usili with Snake Gourd

Usually, Paruppu Usili is made with Beans. Try with Snake Gourd for a change!!
Note: Serves for four.
Ingredients:
· Snake Gourd – ¼ kg
· Onion ( medium sized ) – 2
· Ginger – ¼ inch
· Garlic – 5 cloves
· Curry Leaves – to taste
· Bengal Gram – 100 gms
· Red chilies – 5
· Turmeric powder – a pinch
· Salt – to taste
· Oil – 5 teaspoons
Preparation:
· Soak the Bengal Gram for 30 minutes.
· Grind the Bengal Gram, Red Chilies, and salt to a coarse paste.
· Chop the Snake Gourd to fine pieces and fry in one teaspoon of oil.
· Heat the remaining oil.
· Add chopped onions, ginger, garlic, and curry leaves.
· Sauté till the onions turn transparent and then add the Bengal Gram paste.
· Add turmeric powder and keep stirring for 10 minutes.
· Add the fried Snake Gourd pieces.
· Simmer and keep stirring frequently for 20 minutes.
Can be served with Sambar Rice!