Sorakaya pulusu is a andhra style tamarind stew prepared with bottle gourd, onions, tamarind, spices & herbs. This is also called as anapakaya pulusu and is often made in many telugu speaking homes. Sorakaya is the telugu name for bottle gourd and pulusu is a traditional stew.
It is also prepared for festive meals in our family. Sorakaya pulusu is served with mudda pappu (plain tuvar dal), steamed rice, ghee, papad or its variations.
Pulusu can be prepared with most vegetables like pumpkin, bhindi, potato, sweet potato, yam, drumsticks and even with eggs. It can even be prepared with a combination of veggies.
Here are some more pulusu recipes on the blog
bendakaya pulusu
kanda pulusu
egg pulusu
gummadikaya pulusu
fish pulusu
Sorakaya pulusu is made with just the basic ingredients and no garam masala is used. Pulusu has a natural flavor of the veggie cooked in tangy, sweet and hot ingredients.
While there are not many variations to these pulusu recipes, some people add rice flour or coriander powder and methi powder to get a thick stew.
But traditionally no powders were added and is more of a watery or runny consistency.
I have used a potato along with the gourd to enhance the taste of the sorakaya pulusu. It is optional. Instead of a potato, you can even add boiled eggs.
Pierce the eggs with fork randomly and saute the eggs in 1/2 tsp oil before you begin making the pulusu. Set them aside and add at them along with jaggery and tamarind juice.
Step-by-step photos
How to make Sorakaya pulusu
1. Heat oil in a pot. Crackle mustard, methi and cumin. Then add curry leaves and hing (optional).
2. When the leaves turn crisp, add onions and sprinkle salt. Fry until pink.
3. Then add the peeled and cubed sorakaya. I also added a potato. Saute for 3 mins.
4. Then sprinkle red chilli powder and fry for a minute to remove the raw smell.
5. Pour water just enough to immerse the veggies.
6. Cover and cook until tender.
7. Then add jaggery and tamarind water. I soak the tamarind in water and then filter it here.
8. Taste and add more salt if needed. Cook until sorakaya pulusu reaches a desired consistency. Sprinkle coriander leaves.
Serve sorakaya pulusu with rice, mudda pappu and ghee.
More sorakaya recipes,
Lauki halwa
Bottle gourd curry
Sorakaya pappu
Sorakkai kootu
Sorakaya pachadi
Recipe
Andhra sorakaya pulusu recipe
sorakaya pulusu recipe – andhra bottle gourd stew recipe
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- 2 cups bottle gourd , cubed / sorakaya
- 1 potato cubed (optional)
- ¾ to 1 cup onions , chopped
- 1 green chili slit
- Tamarind pulp or juice as needed (soaked in hot water and filtered to remove impurities)
- Jaggery as needed (optional, but adds a lot to the taste and flavor)
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 to 3 tbsp coriander leaves , chopped
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1 Pinch methi seeds
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp mustard
- Coriander powder as needed (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan, add mustard, cumin, methi, when they splutter add curry leaves.
- Add onions and sprinkle some salt and fry till they turn pink. Takes around 3 to 4 mins.
- Add the vegetables and fry for another 3 to 4 mins.
- Add red chili powder, turmeric, salt and fry for a min.
- Pour water just enough to immerse the veggies. Cook till veggies are soft cooked.
- Add jaggery tamarind juice, coriander powder. Mix cover and cook till the pulusu reaches the desired consistency.
- Add coriander powder if using. I do not use.
- Cover & cook till the veggies are fully done.
- Off the heat, add coriander leaves. Keep covered.
- Serve with papad or plain dal and rice.
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Mrs.Vani Pallela says
Hi ,thank you for posting such awesome andhra recipes. i tried u r sambar recipe…everyone in my family liked it.
plz can u share some portion control meal recipes.
swasthi says
Hi Vani
Welcome. Thanks for trying. I have no idea about portion control meals. I am sorry unable to help you.
jayasree says
It is better help to us to learn about different recipes
Raji says
Hi,
I am new to this kind of pulusu. By seeing the look, I tried..It was tasting yummy
swasthi says
Thanks Raji
🙂
Rosita Vargas says
Me encanta lindo y delicioso caldo,abrazos y abrazos.
Priya Suresh says
Beautiful spread and that pulusu looks fabulous and seriously inviting.
kitchen queen says
delicious and lip smacking dish.
Sanoli Ghosh says
Bottle gourd curry looks awesome Swasthi. Lovely colour.
Asiya Omar says
Nice clicks and delicious one too..
divya says
looks absolutely yummy! nice clicks!
Navaneetham Krishnan says
The best set meal for Friday. Wish I can dig into.
Sireesha Puppala says
aaaah i luve that como..mudda pappu pulusu neyyi..chustene noru oorutundi
VineelaSiva says
Wow the pulusu goes nice with hot steamed rice.Love it.
Kitchen Queen says
nice masala dish for just plain rice.