Anapakaya Pulusu, also known as Sorakaya Pulusu, is a tangy and flavorful tamarind-based curry made with bottle gourd. It is a popular Andhra delicacy, usually paired with hot rice. The natural mildness of bottle gourd beautifully absorbs the tamarind flavors, making this dish light, nutritious, and easy to digest.
Ingredients
- Bottle gourd (sorakaya / anapakaya) – 2 cups (peeled & cubed)
- Tamarind – small lemon-sized ball (soaked in warm water, pulp extracted)
- Onion – 1 medium (sliced)
- Green chillies – 3 (slit)
- Tomato – 1 (optional, chopped)
- Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
- Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
- Jaggery – 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
- Salt – to taste
- Water – 2–3 cups
For Tempering
- Oil – 2 tbsp
- Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
- Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
- Dry red chillies – 2
- Garlic – 4 cloves (lightly crushed)
- Curry leaves – few
- Hing – a pinch
Preparation Process
- Prep Tamarind: Soak tamarind in warm water for 15 minutes. Extract thick pulp and keep aside.
- Cook Bottle Gourd: In a pan, add chopped bottle gourd, onion slices, green chillies, turmeric, salt, and enough water. Cook until bottle gourd turns soft.
- Add Tamarind: Pour in tamarind extract, red chilli powder, and jaggery. Simmer for 10–12 minutes until raw smell of tamarind disappears and pulusu thickens slightly.
- Tempering: Heat oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies, garlic, curry leaves, and hing. Fry until aromatic.
- Finish: Pour the tempering into the simmering pulusu. Mix well and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Serve: Enjoy hot with steamed rice and a dollop of ghee.
Health Benefits
- Bottle gourd is low in calories and rich in water content, making it ideal for digestion and hydration.
- Tamarind aids digestion and adds natural antioxidants.
- Garlic and cumin boost immunity and enhance gut health.
Tips
- Always balance tamarind with a little jaggery for authentic Andhra taste.
- Adding tomato is optional; traditional versions avoid it.
- Consistency should be slightly thin, as pulusu is meant to soak into rice.
Variations
- Pachi Pulusu Style: Make without boiling, using raw tamarind extract, onion, and green chillies.
- Mixed Vegetable Pulusu: Add drumstick, brinjal, or lady’s finger along with bottle gourd.
- Dal Pulusu: Add cooked toor dal to make it more wholesome and protein-rich.