Aloo potala rasa
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Pointed gourd (parwal) and potatoes in a rich onion-tomato gravy, cooked for feasts and weddings across Odisha.
Region: OdishaOccasion: Feasts, weddings and everyday mealsTime: 45 minServes: 4Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 250 g potala (pointed gourd), scraped and halved
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 3 tbsp mustard oil
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 onion, ground to a paste
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tomato, pureed
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp cumin-coriander powder
- Salt to taste
- ½ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ghee (optional)
Method
- Fry the potala and potatoes in mustard oil with a pinch of turmeric and salt until golden spots appear. Set aside.
- In the same oil add bay leaf and cumin, then the onion paste, and fry until golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, tomato and the spice powders and cook until the oil separates.
- Add the fried vegetables and 1½ cups water and simmer until the potatoes are tender and the gravy thickens.
- Finish with garam masala and ghee. Serve with rice, puri or paratha.
History
Rasa means a thick gravy. Potala is grown widely in Odisha and is cooked in many ways, from fries to stuffed curries.
Significance
Aloo potala rasa is a fixture of Odia wedding feasts and community meals.