Zucchini Curry (Zucchini Sabzi, Zucchini Kurma)

2 Zucchini
1 Onion (finely chopped)
2 Tomato (finely chopped or puréed) (or use canned pumpkin/butternut)
1 tblsp Ginger garlic paste
2 Green Chillies (finely chopped) (optional)
1 tsp Coriander
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp Chilli powder (or as needed) (optional)
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1/4 tsp Garam Masala
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
Cilantro for garnish
Salt as needed
2 tblsp Oil

1. Chop the zucchini into big chunks. Heat 1 tblsp of oil in a pan and shallow fry the pieces. Keep it aside.
2. Remove the zucchini pieces from the pan, add an additional tblsp of oil and splutter the mustard and cumin seeds.
3. Saute the onions with the green chillies for 10 minutes until they turn nice golden brown.
4. Add the ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute.
5. Add the tomato pieces/purée and let the mixture cook for atleast 10 minutes until the tomatoes are pulpy.
6. Add all the dry spice powders- chilli powder, coriander-cumin powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder and salt.
7. Add the zucchini pieces and required water. Bring the gravy to a boil.
8. Simmer the gravy till oil floats on top. Check for seasoning and adjust if needed.
9. Finally, add finely chopped cilantro and switch off. Serve hot.
 
Tips and Variation
- You can also roast 3 tblsp of grated coconut, make a fine paste of it and add to the gravy. This gives nice thickness and taste to the curry. (Here is Ivygourd curry made in a similar way.)
- Another variation is to add 1/2 cup of coconut milk to the gravy at the end and just heat it through.
- You can also substitute zucchini with other vegetables like ivygourd (tindoora, kovakai).

Submitted by Dahlia to Simple Indian Recipes