To begin making the Snake Gourd Salan Recipe, first grind the peanuts, coconut and till seeds along with a little water and grind to a smooth paste and keep aside. Also make onion, ginger garlic paste and keep aside.

Steam the snake gourd in the pressure cooker for just one whistle and turn off the heat. After the whistle, release the pressure immediately, so it does not get over cooked. 

Heat a teaspoon of oil over medium heat in a pan; add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds and curry leaves.

When the seeds crackle, add the onion garlic and ginger paste and saute for about 2 minutes. Add the tomato puree and saute for 2 more minutes until the tomatoes begin to boil and bubble.

Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilli powder and powdered peanut-sesame mixture. Cook over a medium flame stirring continuously, for about 5 minutes.

Add the tamarind water, the cooked snake gourd and salt and simmer until the gravy thickens for about 10 minutes. Once done, turn off the heat and garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve the Snake Gourd Salan along with Peppery Mushroom Biryani Recipe and Tomato Onion Raita for a delicious weeknight dinner.