Sattvic sabji with Tender mini snacking cucumbers in Tomatillo and Cilantro stem dry gravy...Spiced with ginger and Serrano Pepper.

I got extra small snack sized cucumbers from Costco, these are grown in green house by Mucci Farms  and are marketed as "CuteCumbers" They are very crunchy and tasty. Today I made stir fry with these extra tiny cucumbers. I skipped use of onions and cooked this subzi  in Tomatillo  and ground Cilantro stem gravy, spiced it with Ginger and Serrano pepper. Tomatillos bring nice sourness to subzi, I added little brown sugar to balance sour and spicy taste.

Ingredients :

• 8-10 - Extra tender baby cucumbers, slice in round shapes ( 2 heaped cups)
• 4-5 - Tiny Tomatillos - chopped (1 cup)
• 1 - Tender Serrano pepper. chopped (any green chili can be used)
• 3/4 Cup - chopped cilantro stems
• 1.5 Cup - tightly packed chopped cilantro leaves
• 3 inch - piece of ginger - crushed to coarse texture.
• 12-15 - Curry leaves
• 1 Tb.spoon - Oil
• 1 Tb.spoon - jaggery or brown sugar

Method of preparation :

1. Combine chopped cilantro stems and 1 cup chopped cilantro in a small blender jar, crush to coarse mixture without adding water.
2. Combine ginger pieces and chopped Serrano pepper in a small blender jar, crush to coarse mixture without adding water, alternatively you can grate ginger and finely chop Serrano pepper. For less heat use regular green chili.
3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a open shallow saute pan. Add crushed ginger-chili mixture, 6-7 curry leaves, saute over medium heat for 1.5 minutes or until ginger slightly starts to turn brown. Next  add chopped Tomatillos, saute over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring often.
4. Now add sliced cucumber rounds, little salt, mix well, continue to saute over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup water and cook until water evaporates and cucumber slices are cooked tender, do stir frequently.
5. Add mixture of cilantro stems and leaves,  remaining curry leaves, 1 tbsp brown sugar,adjust salt level, mix well .If required add 2-3 tbsp water, continue to cook for 3-4 minutes over medium low heat.
6. Garnish with remaining chopped cilantro and serve over rice or eat with rotis. If you want to enjoy  zesty Cucumber-Tomatillo chutney/spread  just grind this subzi in a blender for 1-2 minutes, drizzle extra virgin olive oil before serving.

Earlier blogged cucumber recipes :

1) Persian cucumber stir fry with Tofu cubes
2) Cucumber Paratha/ Kakdi Paratha
3) Dosakai+Pickling cucumber subzi with split green peas.