Potol posto is a very common vegetarian dish among Bengalis. Posto means poppy seed is one of the spice which is often used for vegetarian preparations along with combination of different vegetables like Potato, Stripe gourd(potol/parwal), Snake gourd, ridge gourd et.. Here I tried to make something different by adding Potol/parwal/Stripe gourd only and it came out very tasty. I have posted this recipe for the event"Think spice think poppy seeds" in Radhikas and Sunita's blog.

INGREDIENTS:

500gms. Potol/Parwal/Stripe gourd
3 tsp Posto (poppy seeds)
3 green chilli's
1 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp. fenugreek seed
salt(as per taste)
sugar (as per taste)

METHOD:

1. Peel off the stripe gourd and give a slit lengthwise. Heat oil in a pan and saute them in low flame until becomes soft. Take it out and keep aside.

2. Grind poppy seeds and green chili together to get a paste.

3. Heat oil in a pan and add fenugreek seeds. Now add poppy seeds paste and turmeric powder and little water.Fry the masala until oil gets separated from it.
4. Add cooked stripe gourd, salt and little sugar. Add little water and stirr for a couple of minute. Cover it and let it cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove it from fire and pour in a serving bowl.

Serve hot with plain rice.