Raw Papaya Curry with shrimp (Papayi ani Sungta Randayi)

This is a very comforting dish and very common in all konkani homes. It is one of those dishes which is not fiery, but more on the milder sides (rite, we need to give those taste buds some rest)..We usually add shrimp in this curry, which just changes the whole flavour of it. When fresh shrimp is not available, we put in the dried ones. But for those of you, who are vegetarian or do not like shrimp, you can also omit it and make the curry just with the other ingredients. It tastes good any which way. Also, keeping all the other ingredients the same, we can replace papaya for Magge(Dosakai). So, do try it..

I would like to send this to 'A Fruit A Month', originally started by Maheswari of "Beyond the Usual". This month it is hosted by Nags of 'The cook in me' ook and the fruit she has chosen is 'Papaya'. Thanks to you, made me cook this which I had forgotten about.



Ingredients

Raw Papaya, cut into small chunks - 2 cups/1 small papaya
Onions, roughly chopped - 1 medium or about 1 cup
Dried or fresh shrimp(small ones,peeled and cleaned)- 15-20
Toor dal - 1/4 cup
Fresh/frozen grated coconut - 3/4 cup
Coriander seeds - 2 tsp
Dried Red Chilies - 4-5
Tamarind - 1 medium piece
Haldi powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt - to taste

Method

- Wash the dal and pressure cook till soft(upto 2 whistles is enough).
- If using the dried shrimp, soak them in little water and keep aside( the store bought ones here are all cleaned, so nothing to do at home).
- In a pan, add the cut papaya and onions and boil by adding enough water. Boil till the papaya pieces are tender, but not mushy.
- Grind the coconut, red chillies, tamarind, coriander seeds and haldi powder to make a smooth paste.
- Once the papaya and onions are boiled, add the ground coconut paste to it, add the boiled dal and salt.
- Discard the water from the soaked shrimp and add to the above mix (if using fresh shrimp instead, add at this point).
- Add water to adjust the consistency of the gravy and boil till the raw smell from the masala goes and is done.
- Serve hot with rice.

P.S: This gravy should be liquidy in consistency.

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