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    Home » Vegetarian Side Dishes » Chettinadu Sorakkai Kurma ~ Bottle Gourd Curry Chettinad style!

    Chettinadu Sorakkai Kurma ~ Bottle Gourd Curry Chettinad style!

    Published: Jul 10, 2008 · Modified: Sep 23, 2020 by Srivalli · 24 Comments

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    We always love the kurma that served with the Parotta in our places. Any place down south you visit, this sure is present. It looks that whitest creamy kurma, which somehow makes it very difficult to guess, what's went in! For many years, Amma and I had only discussed it and at times attempted to the lookout.

    At one point, I even thought I would ask a person we knew, who was into catering. Well, we didn't for the obvious reasons, most people refuse to share their secret recipes. The search continued albeit, many attempts still unsuccessful!

    The other day, Amma was telling me that she tried out a new dish with a Bottle gourd aka the Sorakkai or the Sorakaya. She happened to see this in a TV show and since she had a bottle gourd on hand, prepared it for dinner. The resultant kurma was much appreciated. Since then, she had been telling me to prepare it.

    Finally, we got the Sorrakai, but had to wait almost two whole days, before this actually found its way into the kurma! Meanwhile, it was much enjoyed as a gada by Peddu. In fact, I made him pose standing with this huge Bottle gourd over his shoulders. He was all merry, being told to carry it over his shoulders, though he struggled to lift with his tiny little hands. And I happily clicked away!

    Well after two sundry of loitering from the fridge to the dining table and finally made it to the kitchen slab, it was ultimately halved and downed into the kurma!

    After having prepared and a bit later, I had this sense of Eureka! I was all elated, I could only nod at the confirmation that this is the same korma that gets served along with parotta in many places down south.

    No tomato, no turmeric, it was indeed a different kurma that I have ever tried. But most definitely a keeper! From the name, I can say this is from the famous Chettinadu cuisine, so I am all happy having landed with this finally!

    Ingredients Needed:

    Bottle Gourd / Sorakkai / Sorakaya - 250 gms
    Cumin Seeds / Jeera - 1/2 tsp
    Onion - 1 medium
    Ginger Garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
    Green Chilli - 2 no
    Garam Masala - 3/4 tsp
    Coriander powder - 1 tsp
    Salt to taste
    Oil - 2 tsp

    To be ground

    Fresh Coconut / Copra grated - 3 tbsp
    Sesame Seeds - 1 tsp

    Coriander leaves for garnish

    Method to prepare:

    Peel and chop the bottle gourd into 1-inch cubes. Make a paste of Dry coconut along with the Sesame seeds. if Copra or the dry coconut is not available, you can use the fresh one too.
    Then heat a Kadai with oil. Add the cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add the finely chopped onions. Sauté till they are brown, then add finely chopped green chilies. Fry for a min.
    Then add the ginger-garlic paste and fry till the raw aroma leaves. Then add the chopped bottle gourd and simmer for 2 mins. When you find it's well mixed, add 1 cup of water. and cooked it covered for 5 mins.
    Then add the salt, coriander powder, garam masala. Cook for another 5 mins. Then add the ground paste of coconut and sesame seeds. cover and simmer till it's cooked.
    This takes about 10 more mins, Remove and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
    Goes very well with chapatis or parottas.
    Print Pin
    2 from 2 votes

    Chettinadu Sorakkai Kurma ~ Bottle Gourd Curry Chettinad style!

    Cuisine Chettinad, Tamil Nadu
    Author Srivalli
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooking4all or tag #cooking4all!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. jayasree says

      July 10, 2008 at 10:51 am

      Sorakkai is one veggie which has not found place in my kitchen. Since my mom never cooked this, I too hv avoided this. But your post is tempting me to lay my hands on sorakkai,Vally.

      Reply
    2. notyet100 says

      July 10, 2008 at 10:55 am

      lauki ka korma...sound delicious,..

      Reply
    3. satya says

      July 10, 2008 at 12:18 pm

      Peddu struggling to hold bottlegourd as gada....:D.
      I love chettinadu cuisine for it's famous spice level.

      Reply
    4. JZ @ Tasty treats says

      July 10, 2008 at 12:21 pm

      the curry looks delicious sri! my brush with chettinad cuisine ended in a not so satisfying experience (non-veg). so i am yet to muster up enough courage to try again!!

      Reply
    5. kamala says

      July 10, 2008 at 1:24 pm

      I too was surprised when I ask a cook at our place abt this kurma..I heard they are not adding tomato..Fun to read about Peddu

      Reply
    6. Priti says

      July 10, 2008 at 3:29 pm

      Sorakkai kurma looks delicious...first time come to know sorakkai can be utilized like this too...lovely..

      Reply
    7. Madhuram says

      July 10, 2008 at 4:36 pm

      Believe me or not Valli, I already tried it for my lunch with chapathis. It's absolutely delicious. Actually I was going to prepare Sorakaya pappu as usual. I live in US, I saw your entry in TOI this morning and had to try it. My mother is visiting us and she was skeptical about the taste, but she only prepared it following the recipe, while I was preparing the chapathis. She herself was surprised because it tasted very good. My mother also wants to pass her thanks to you.

      Reply
    8. Laavanya says

      July 10, 2008 at 11:22 am

      Your description of its taste makes me so want to try it Srivalli.. am bookmarking it.

      Reply
    9. Madhuram says

      July 10, 2008 at 6:03 pm

      This month Pooja's VOW vegetable is Bottle Gourd. Are'nt you sending it to her?

      Reply
    10. Alka says

      July 10, 2008 at 1:03 pm

      Hey sri,
      Thanks to u i found one more way of having my bottlegourd....This looks really wonderful and its so easy to make too

      Reply
    11. Sujatha says

      July 10, 2008 at 8:35 pm

      Your Sorakkai korma sounds unique! Yes, I too have wondered about the kuruma ingredients that we get with parottas. Your kuruma looks very similar!

      Reply
    12. KALVA says

      July 10, 2008 at 8:39 pm

      Wow never made soraki this way dear.. lovely

      Reply
    13. Nikki Miller-Ka says

      July 10, 2008 at 11:30 pm

      Hi, Srivalli! This is my 1st time visiting your blog (I'm so very glad you came by mine). I ADORE Indian cuisine. I never make any because I can't make it taste as good as my favorite local restaurant (actually, I can make a mean basket of naan). With your help and recipes, maybe I can...

      Reply
    14. Ramki says

      July 11, 2008 at 1:43 am

      A couple of pinches of fennel added would make this extra delicious. Fennel is a much loved spice in Chettinadu
      http://ramkicooks.blogspot.com/2008/04/1001-chettinadu-curries.html

      Reply
    15. Ramki says

      July 11, 2008 at 1:46 am

      If you love Kurumas, here are a few more you can try 🙂

      http://ramkicooks.blogspot.com/2008/03/1001-kormas.html

      Reply
    16. Suma Rajesh says

      July 11, 2008 at 3:28 am

      curry looks delicious...nice combo with rice as well as chappathi

      Reply
    17. SriLekha says

      July 11, 2008 at 3:36 am

      superb and an unique recipe...

      Reply
    18. Pooja says

      July 11, 2008 at 3:10 pm

      this recipe is like a precious gift for a lauki lover like me 🙂
      looks yummy :p...
      after I finish up with the bottle gourd round up , i have many recipes staked in my mind to try with it, this is one of them sri .
      thank you for sharing and being a part of vow-bottle gourd 🙂

      Reply
    19. Srivalli says

      July 11, 2008 at 10:29 am

      jayasree, thats really something you need to address..esp with this recipe it will be easy!..:)

      priyanka, it was delicious!

      Laavanya, I guess the taste really got me praising it for no end..you got to try it when you get a chance!

      satya..heheh..true..it was fun..yeah chettinadu is famous for its spicy food, though I should confess this kurma was not really spicy!..maybe I should increase the chillies next time!

      JZ, thank you...thats really sad to know..non veg is usual quite a tough choice to try first time..maybe you can try out this!..its quite simple not to go wrong..

      Alka, Its my pleasure!

      kamala, thats really nice...glad you liked reading abt him!..you know I make a point to write abt them just for you!

      Priti, yep..me too..and glad it was yummy!

      Madhuram, really I am impressed..thanks a lot for the feedback and glad you liked it. Do convey my thanks to your dear mom for the appreciation..when compared to her knowledge, this is nothing...yeah sending it...thanks for the reminder!

      Sujatha, thanks..glad you liked it

      Kalva, great..do try this way!

      Nikki, welcome to my blog..I was glad looking around your place..you have a great one there...Its nice to know your liking to indian cuisine. Its just a matter of practice and little knowledge on the spices..nothing much...it will be a great pleasure to help you in anyway I can!..do drop in again

      Ramki, yeah I can imagine the taste!..thanks for the link

      Suma & SriLekha, thanks for your lovely comments!

      Reply
    20. Kalai says

      July 12, 2008 at 2:33 am

      Yummy!! Looks wonderful, Valli! 🙂

      Reply
    21. beachbirdie says

      July 14, 2008 at 5:35 am

      I have never used bottle gourd before, it is not sold where I live. I planted it in my garden this year, I can't wait to harvest one and try your recipe!

      Reply
    22. Induslady says

      February 05, 2009 at 3:44 am

      Hi Srivalli,

      I made this Chettinadu sorakkai kurma for chappatis. They tasted too good.

      Thanks.

      Reply
    23. Priyamohan says

      May 09, 2013 at 2:27 am

      Hai valli, can u tell me whether to use black or white sesame seeds? Thnks in advance...

      Reply
    24. Srivalli says

      May 09, 2013 at 7:14 am

      Priyamohan I have used white sesame seeds. Mostly for using in gravies we use only white seeds

      Reply

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    Hi! Seasons change, yet there are some timeless recipes you can enjoy anytime. If you are sport for it, you are in the right place!

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