Uppu huli heerekai dose (Ridge gourd dose)

Uppu huli heerekai dose

                                       
This recipe is a very unconventional yet traditional Mangalorean dish. This dose (can also be called as shallow fried pakodas) can be made using many other vegetables.It can be eaten as a snack or a side dish with lunch/dinner.This is a great combination with Tomato saaru (tomato rasam).

Ingredients:

3 Firm Ridge Gourd

For the batter:
2 cups rice
1 tea spoon methi seeds (Fenugreek seeds)
1 table spoon coriander seeds
1 cup grated fresh coconut
1 table spoon jaggery
1 table spoon tamarind extract
8-10 dry red chillies.
1/2 tea spoon haldi (turmeric)
salt to taste

Preparation: 
1. Peel and dice the heerekai to 1/4th of an inch.
2. Soak rice and methi seeds for 2 hours
3. Grind the soaked rice, methi ,coriander seeds, coconut, jaggery, tamarind extract, red chillies, haldi and salt to a fine paste adding water. The consistency of the batter should be of any normal dose batter.
4. Heat a flat pan on medium heat and smear few drops of oil on it.
5. Dip the heerekai dice in the batter and arrange them on the hot tava. Let each dice be adjacent to each other .This will give the shape of the dose.The pieces should touch each other.
6. Drizzle some oil on the top. Cover and cook for two minutes. Flip and cook on the other side till done.
7. Remove from the tava and serve with tomato saaru (rasam) or relish it as a snack with a blob of butter.