Ridge Gourd Fritters

Ingredients:

Ridge Gourd 1 large
Rice Flour 1 1/2 cups
Green Chiles 3
Cumin Seeds 1 tsp
Cilantro few sprigs
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying

Method of preparation:

Remove stems, wash and roughly chop green chiles.
Wash and roughly chop cilantro.
Slightly pulse green chiles, cilantro and salt in a spice grinder.

Remove ends, remove skin and finely chop ridge gourd.
Sprinkle salt and leave chopped ridge gourd for 15 – 20 minutes.
Then squeeze ridge gourd between hands to remove excess water.

In a mixing bowl, add squeezed ridge gourd, cumin seeds, ground chilli paste, rice flour and salt.
Turn the mixture into single ball adding little bit of water if necessary.
Make small lemon sized ball out of the mixture and flatten it on the palm.
Repeat the same with remaining mixture and keep all the flattened rigde gourd discs aside.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan on medium heat.
Once oil gets hot, drop ridge gourd discs one by one.
Fry them on both sides until light brown and remove onto absorbent paper.
Serve ridge gourd fritters with hot steamed rice and dollop of ghee.