Give snake gourd a makeover with these crispy stuffed cutlets

Snake gourd gets a delicious makeover in this unique snack recipe. Thick discs of steamed snake gourd are hollowed out and stuffed with a flavourful minced meat filling cooked with onions, spices and coconut milk. The stuffed rings are then coated in egg and breadcrumbs before being fried until crisp and golden. The result is a crunchy exterior with a juicy, aromatic filling, making for an excellent appetiser or teatime snack.

Ingredients
For the snake gourd
2 snake gourds
1 egg, beaten
Breadcrumbs, as required
Oil, for frying

For the filling
 2 cups minced meat
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp chopped ginger
2 green chillies, sliced
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 cup coconut milk
2 tsp chopped coriander leaves
Salt, to taste

Whole spices
5 cardamom pods
1-inch piece of cinnamon
4 cloves
1/4 tsp fennel seeds

Preparation
1. Scrape the snake gourds lightly and cut them into 1-inch-thick discs. Scoop out the seeds and soft centre to form rings. Steam-cook the discs until just tender. Allow them to cool.
2. Crush the cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and fennel seeds coarsely.
3. Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onion, ginger and green chillies until the onion turns translucent.
4. Add the crushed whole spices and sauté for a minute.

5. Stir in the coriander powder, Kashmiri chilli powder and turmeric powder. Cook until the raw smell of the spices disappears.
6. Add the minced meat and mix well. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Pour in the coconut milk, cover and continue cooking until the coconut milk has evaporated and the mixture is dry.
8. Add the chopped coriander leaves and sauté for another 2 minutes. Let the filling cool slightly.
9. Stuff each steamed snake gourd disc with the prepared meat mixture.
10. Dip each stuffed disc in beaten egg, coat evenly with breadcrumbs and deep-fry or shallow-fry until both sides are crisp and light golden brown.
11. Serve hot with tomato ketchup, chilli sauce or your favourite dip.