Peper Ghonto (Raw Papaya Curry)

Ingredients :

Raw Papaya,peeled and grated.....................................................1,medium size

Potatoes,cut into small cubes.......................................................2 ,medium size

Green Chilly,slit................................................................................4

Bay Leaves........................................................................................2

Cumin Seeds whole..........................................................................1/4 tsp

Green Peas,boiled.............................................................................1 cup

Garam Masala Powder......................................................................1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder (Optional)............................................................1 pinch

Salt.......................................................................................................to taste

Sugar...................................................................................................1 tsp

Cumin Powder...................................................................................1/2 tsp

Refined Oil..........................................................................................2 tbsp

Desi Ghee(Clarifiied Butter).............................................................1 tsp

Grated raw papaya

Method :

Peel the papaya and discard the insides.

Wash well  under running water.

Grate the raw papaya and soak in water.

Heat the refined oil in a pan and add the bay leaves and the cumin seeds. Stir a bit and add the potatoes.

Stir fry well and then add the grated raw papaya. Mix well. 

Then add the spices......cumin powder, salt, sugar and green chillies slit.

Add turmeric powder  at this stage, if you wish to add colour.

Add peas and mix.

Put a lid and let it cook on low heat till done.

After 5 minutes remove the lid and mix. Add the garam masala powder and ghee.

Remove to a serving bowl.

This is a dry dish and has no gravy.

It is served with plain rice.

This dish is served as the first course in a meal in a Bengali  family. Raw papaya doesnt have any flavour of its own .

So to prepare this dish the spices added are very important. The spices add taste.

Buddham Sharanam Gachchami