Recipe - Zucchini In A Yogurt Dressing

1 tablespoon Salt, plus One fourth teaspoon
1 pound Zucchini (2 medium), cut
into 1/2inch dice
Three fourths cup Plain yogurt
One fourth teaspoon Cayenne pepper, or to taste
Three fourths teaspoon Ground roasted cumin seeds
(see note)
One half teaspoon Brown or granulated sugar
1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
One half teaspoon Brown mustard seeds

Bring 2 One half quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt, stir
and put in the zucchini. Boil rapidly for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the
zucchini are just done. Drain and leave to cool.

Put the yogurt in a bowl and beat lightly with a fork until smooth. Add
remaining salt, cayenne, roasted cumin, and sugar. Stir to mix.

Heat the oil in a very small pan or skillet over fairly high heat. When
very hot, add the mustard seeds. As soon as the mustard seeds begin to pop,
this takes just a few seconds, pour the seeds and oil over the yogurt. Stir
to mix. Gently fold the zucchini into the yogurt. Serve warm or cold.

Yield: 4 servings

Note 1: Ground roasted cumin seeds, place 3 to 4 tablespoons of whole cumin
seeds into a heated, small cast iron skillet. Keep over medium heat. Stir
the cumin until it is a few shades darker and emits a distinct roasted
aroma. Grind in a clean and dry coffee grinder and store in a tightly
lidded jar.

Note 2: Garam masala, combine in a clean and dry coffee grinder 1
tablespoon cardamom seeds, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, 1 teaspoon whole black
peppercorns, 1 teaspoon whole black cumin seeds, 1 2inch stick of
cinnamon, 1/3 of a whole nutmeg, and a curl of mace. Grind until you have a
fine powder. Store in a tightly lidded jar.

Note 3: Rai masala, toast and grind 2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds, 1
teaspoon whole cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon whole fenugreek seeds, 1 teaspoon
whole brown mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns, 1 to 2 dried, hot,
red chilies, and 5 whole cloves, using the same method as roasted cumin
seeds.

Recipe by: Cooking Live Show #CL8873 Posted to MCRecipe Digest V1 #592 by
Angele Freeman jfreeman@netusa1.net on Apr 29, 1997