Chichinda Pyaz Sabji (Snake gourd and Onion stir fry)

If you are looking to cook something green and with very less oil and spices then it doesn’t get any easier than this recipe. Make sure to peel and scrape out the seeds from the snake gourd. Then cut in thin slices. Cut the onion in thin slices too. Use mustard oil and temper with Nigella seeds (Kalonji). Then add the onion and fry till golden. Add the snake gourd. Cover and cook for 3 minutes then add salt and turmeric. A little red chili powder if you would like a little heat. Cover and cook and stir every now and then. Medium heat. When the dish is reddish in color, it’s ready. Serve with roti or paratha.

Ingredients:

• Chichinda (Snake gourd): 2 big, peeled, seeds scraped and sliced into thin slices, washed and drained
• Onion: 2 cups, sliced
• Green Chili: 1, slit in half
• Turmeric powder: ½ teaspoon
• Red Chili powder: ¼ teaspoon
• Mustard Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: ½ teaspoon
• Kalonji (Nigella seeds) - ½ teaspoon

Directions:

• Heat a wide skillet/ pan on medium heat.
• Add the Mustard Oil in it. When the oil is properly heated, temper with Green Chilis and Kalonji Seeds.
• When the seeds crackle, add the Onion in it. I usually cover and cook for 2-3 minutes on the same heat. This just cooks it faster while creating a fried texture.
• Add the Chichinda now. Mix, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
• Add the Salt, Turmeric and Red Chili Powder. Mix everything together. Cover and keep cooking till the vegetables develop a beautiful fried reddish color, stirring occasionally.
• Chichinda Pyaz Sabji is ready!
• Serve hot with Roti/ Paratha.

Use Nigella Seeds in the following recipes:

• Bhindi Kalonji – Okra with Indian spices
• Kalo Jeere diye Alur Torkari (Bengali recipe: Potatoes with Nigella Seeds)
• Sweet Masoor Dal (Red Lentils Bengali style)
• Panch Fhoron
• Namkeen (Savory Deep Fried Indian Snacks)
• Jhinge Alu Posto (Ridge Gourd and Potatoes With Poppy Seeds)
• Baked Cumin / Nigella Seeds Namkeens
• Kalo Jeere Ghee diye Alur Torkari (Potatoes with Nigella Seeds and Ghee)
• Bhindi fried in Kalonji seeds