Beerakaaya Thokku Pachadi, this is the name which can be give to this recipe in telugu, since it is made using Ridge Gourd skin :-) Yeah!!! don'nt want to believe..but its true. When I heard from my mother about this recipe, I said how it is possible?? But when I tasted this pickle I said WHY NOT?? This is very simple to make and can be served with dosa or along with chapathis or hot rice. This can be kept fresh upto 3 days if it is stored in the refrigerator. But I preffer to make it in small amount and finish it off the same day or maximum next day. Here I go with the recipe:-

Ingredients:
-----------------
Skin of 2 Ridge Gourd (peel the skin, wash in cold water and drain)
1 tsp cumin seeds
3 to 4 green chillies or 4 to 5 dry red chillies
small lemon size tamarind (chinthapandu--wash and soak in warm water)
1 tsp oil
salt as required

For Seasoning:
-------------------
4 to 5 curry leaves
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2 to 3 tsp oil

Method:
------------

1. Heat the oil, add cumin seeds. Once they start spluttering, add ridge gourd skin and fry till becomes soft.
2. Now add green chillies and fry for two more minutes. Add soaked tamarind from above and remove from heat. Do not mix. Allow to cool down.
3. After it cools down, make the paste of above with required salt in a blender. Do not add water if possible( or little if required).
4. Make seasoning, add to the above paste. The pickel is ready:-))

Note: If green chillies are not available or like to use red chillies instead, first fry red chillies in little oil and keep aside. Add to the blender while making paste. In this chutney I used Dry red chillies since I did not had green chillies in store. It tasted great!! So go a head.....:-))