Sihi kumbalakayi masala idli

Ingredients 

Raw rice rava or idli rava —1 cup

Grated Sihi kumbalakayi ( red pumpkin)—2 cups

Channa dhal (kadale belle)—2 tablespoon 

Moong dhal ( hesaru belle)—2 tablespoon 

Black pepper corns ( menasu kaalu) and jeera (jeerige //cumin seeds) crushed coarsely— 2 tablespoon each.

 Grated coconut—1/2 cup

Ginger —small piece 

Green chillies—3 to 5 

 Curry leaves (karibevu//kadipatta)—few 

Coriander leaves (kothambari soppu)—2 tablespoon chopped 

Salt to taste

Asafoetida (hing//ingu)—1 teaspoon 

 Oil —to grease idli plates 

Method 

Peel and grate the Sihi kumbalakayi ( pumpkin).

 

Wash and soak the rice rava in water for 2 hours. Drain the water and set aside.

 Wash and soak kadale belle and hesaru belle in water for an hour. Drain the water.

Crush jeera and black pepper corns to coarse powder.

Grate ginger and  finely chop green chillies.,curry leaves and coriander leaves.

Now in a wide bowl take grated pumpkin,washed rava,crushed pepper and jeera powder,chopped green chilli,curry leaves,coriander leaves,grated ginger,grated coconut,asafoetida.

Mix everything well together adding little water ( 1/4 cup if needed)

After you mix ,make sure the batter is not too dry.

When you squeeze the batter you should be able to see little water.

Keep it aside for 15 minutes covering with a lid.

So that the idli rava softens and the flavours get incorporated well.

After 15 minutes ,mix it again well.

Now boil water in an idli maker or steamer or pressure cooker.

Grease the idli  plates.

Take a handful of the prepared batter in your hand and put it on greased plates and press it gently with your palm so that it gets a round shape.

Place the idli plates in the idli maker ,close the lid and steam for 15 to 20 minutes on medium high  heat .

Once done,remove the idli plates and let them cool for 5 minutes.

Then carefully un mould the cooked idlis using a spoon.

Serve hot with ghee,chutney and curd.

Note  

Spices can be added  according to your taste 

You can also make idlis with green pumpkin.

 

This idli will be soft and crumbly in texture.

This is a traditional malnaadu recipe .