Heerekayi Heserukalu Kootu

Heerekayi Heserukalu Kootu (Ridge Gourd Moong Dal Gravy) | Traditional South Indian Recipe

Heerekayi Heserukalu Kootu (Ridge gourd + Green gram) is a traditional Madhwa South Indian gravy dish that pairs well with rice or chapati. It's spicy, protein-rich, and wholesome.

Kootu is a lentil and vegetable-based semi-gravy – nutritious and perfect with hot rice, ghee, and crisps.

Heerekayi Moong Kootu

Ingredients

• Heerekayi (Ridge Gourd) – 1 cup, finely chopped
• Green Moong – 1/2 cup, cooked

For Grinding:

• Urad Dal – 1 tbsp
• Jeera (Cumin) – 1 tbsp
• Pepper – 10
• Rice – 1 tsp
• Red Chilies – 5 to 6
• Shredded Coconut – 1/2 cup
• Hing (Asafoetida) – 1 pinch

For Seasoning:

• Oil – 1 to 2 tsp
• Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric – A pinch
• Hing – A pinch
• Curry Leaves – Few

Method

1. In a pan, heat a little oil. Fry urad dal, pepper, jeera, curry leaves, hing, and red chilies.
2. Add coconut and fry for 1–2 minutes. Grind this mixture with a little water to a paste.
3. Stir-fry chopped heerekayi until soft.
4. Add cooked moong and ground paste. Simmer for 5–10 minutes. Add salt.
5. Prepare seasoning by heating oil, then add mustard seeds, jeera, chana dal, turmeric, hing, and curry leaves.
6. Pour this seasoning into the kootu. Mix and serve hot with rice or chapati.

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