Anapakaya Ava Kura is a flavor bomb of bottle gourd cooked with mustard, sesame, and fresh grated coconut, plus other spices! Everything comes together in this delicious Andhra dish that leaves you with a smile. Literally. And the best part is that it is not really a complex dish to cook.

Ava Kura (Mustard Curry)

Although the masala (sauce) in this dish has several ingredients, it is still named after mustard seeds. I believe this is because of the dominant, somewhat sharp flavor of blended mustard seeds. I love the aroma. My mom would use this sauce not just with bottle gourd but also with drumsticks, Malabar spinach and other vegetables. Check out our Drumstick (Moringa) Mustard Curry recipe which uses similar sauce ingredients.

Drumstick (Moringa) Mustard Curry

Anapakaya (AKA Bottle Gourd, Lauki, Doodhi)

Because of its mild flavor and texture, bottle Gourd is one of my favorite gourds. It is super easy to cook with, versatile and takes on any flavors you add to it. And the best part is it is so healthy! Being very low in calories, it is a great vegetable for weight watchers. I have bottle-gourd based meals at least once or twice a week.

Here are some of our bottle gourd recipes you should check out:

• Bottle Gourd Fenugreek Curry
• Opo Squash Sesame Sauté
• Opo Squash Yellow Mung Curry
• Spicy Buttermilk Soup

Bottle Gourd Fenugreek Curry

Anapakaya Ava Kura

Undoubtedly, this is a kid-friendly recipe. It is flavorful, without being spicy. While mustard is the dominant flavor, the other ingredients complement this with a great texture and taste. I think this is a simple recipe, with just three steps. First is to prepare the curry sauce, second is tempering and the third is to cook the vegetable with the sauce. At the end of it all, you have a delicious dish to dish out.

Andhra Recipes

Check out our unique collection of Andhra recipes here:

• Undrallu | Kudumulu Recipe
• Andhra Tomato Pappu
• Mango Dal (Mamidikaya Pappu)
• Dosavakaya: Raw Yellow Cucumber Pickle
• Malabar Spinach Chutney (Bachalakura Pacchadi)
• Opo Squash yellow Mung Curry (Aanapakaya Pappu Kura)
• Smoky Eggplant Chutney (Vankaya Iguru Pacchadi)
• Eggplant Potato Spicy Medley (Vankaya Bangaladumpa Mudda Kura)
• Tangy Stuffed Eggplant (Vankaya Ulli Kharam)
• Yellow Mung Detox Soup (Pesarakattu)
• Ridgegourd Curry Powder Sauté (Beerakaya Podi Kura)
• Cucumber Dal (Dosakaya Pappu)
• Raw Dosakaya Salad
• Indian Lime Pickle (Nimmakaya Pachadi)
• Easy Rasam Recipe (Chaaru)
• Pepper Rasam (Miriyala Chaaru)
• Garlicky Amaranth Curry (Thotakura Vellulli Kharam)
• Andhra Gongura Pappu – Sorrel Leaves Dal

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3 from 2 votes

Anapakaya Ava Kura: Bottle Gourd Mustard-Sesame Curry

Anapakaya Ava Kura is a literal flavor bomb of bottle gourd cooked with mustard, sesame, and fresh grated coconut, among other spices! Enjoy with steamed rice, dal and papadams, South Indian Style.

Course Curry

Cuisine Andhra, South Indian

Keyword anapakaya, anapakaya ava kura, Andhra curry, Andhra recipe, bottle gourd, Fresh Coconut, jaggery, Mustard Seeds, Sesame, sesame seeds, South Indian Curry, Tamarind, turmeric powder

Special Diet Gluten Free, Grain Free, Nut Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 8 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 23 minutes

Servings 2 People

Calories 286kcal

Equipment

• Instant Pot (IP)
• Spice Blender
• Kitchen Knife
• Cutting Board

Ingredients

• 4 Cups Bottle Gourd - Peeled, small pieces

Ava Kura (Curry Sauce Blend)

• 2 Teaspoons Mustard Seeds
• 2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds
• 1/2 Cup Grated Coconut - Fresh
• 1 Pepper Green Chili Pepper - (Optional)
• 1 Teaspoon Rice Flour
• 1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Tamarind - Paste
• 1/2 Tablespoon Jaggery - or Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt - or to taste

Tempering

• 1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
• 1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
• 8-10 Leaves Curry Leaves
• 1/2 Pepper Dry Red Chili
• 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
• 1 Teaspoon Urad Dal

Instructions

• In preparation for the curry sauce, get the following ingredients ready: mustard seeds, sesame seeds, rice flour, green chili pepper, fresh coconut, salt, turmeric, tamarind and jaggery.
  
• Blend to a course paste. Add about 1/8th cup of water before finishing up.
  
• Set sauce aside in a bowl.
  
• Set Instant Pot (IP) to sauté mode and add oil. When the 'hot' sign comes up, add tempering ingredients (dry red chili, curry leaves, urad dal, cumin and mustard seeds). Mustard and cumin seeds will crackle shortly. Now add peeled and cut bottle gourd and stir for a minute.
  
• Add 1/8th cup of water, set lid, and set IP on 'steam' mode for 2 minutes. Allow for natural release and remove lid.
  
• Now set IP back on 'sauté' mode, add sauce and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  
• Serve hot with Healthy Mung-Radish Greens Dal, steamed brown rice an papadam.
  

Video

Notes

Great with dal, steamed brown rice and papadams.

*Use organic ingredients wherever possible

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Anapakaya Ava Kura: Bottle Gourd Mustard-Sesame Curry

Serving Size

 

150 g

Amount per Serving

Calories

286

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

20

g

31

%

Saturated Fat

 

13

g

81

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Sodium

 

599

mg

26

%

Potassium

 

589

mg

17

%

Carbohydrates

 

24

g

8

%

Fiber

 

4

g

17

%

Sugar

 

6

g

7

%

Protein

 

5

g

10

%

Vitamin A

 

351

IU

7

%

Vitamin C

 

161

mg

195

%

Calcium

 

247

mg

25

%

Iron

 

5

mg

28

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*There could be affiliate links in this blog. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.