Stuffed Pudalankai, also known as Stuffed Snake Gourd, is a popular Indian dish made with snake gourd. This vegetable is long and cylindrical in shape, resembling a snake, hence the name. To make Stuffed Pudalankai, the snake gourd is first peeled and cut into thick slices. The inner part of the slices are removed, creating a hollow space. For the stuffing, a mixture of spices, onions, garlic, and sometimes ground meat or paneer (Indian cottage cheese) is prepared. This mixture is then stuffed into the hollow space of the snake gourd slices. The stuffed snake gourd is then pan-fried or deep-fried until it becomes golden and crispy. It is typically served as a side dish with roti (Indian bread) or rice. Stuffed Pudalankai is not only delicious but also nutritious. Snake gourd is low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, the stuffing adds flavor and texture to the dish, making it a favorite among both vegetarians and non-vegetarians in India.
This versatile dish offers a variety of stuffing options to suit any taste. Typically, a mixture of coconut gratings and chopped onion combined with besan (chickpea flour) and red chili powder serves as a classic filling. However, you can easily substitute this with any dry vegetable curry or even a simple mashed potato filling.
For this particular preparation, “Paruppu Usili” (a Tamil Nadu specialty made from crumbled lentils and spices) has been used to create a unique and flavorful stuffing, giving the dish a delightful twist.