Some unique bengali side dishes

Green bottlegourd(lauki) skin - cut them into small fine slices like paotato. wash and soak in boiling water for about 5 minutes. on the side soak some postodana (poppy seeds). drain water from the lauki skins. cut a small onion into fine slices. put cooking oil in the karhai and put the onions. throw in some green chillies. Add a pinch of turmeric powder, and some salt to taste. then add the laoki skins that have softened slightly and keep stirring. Then add the poppy seeds to the karhai. fry it for around 5 minutes till the lauki skins are fully cooked and crisp. Turn the heat off, and enjoy as a side dish with rice.

Raw Banana skin -
You'll need:

1. Raw green banana skin
2. Mustard Oil
3. Shukki Mirch
4. Kala Jira
5. Salt to taste
6. Fresh green chilli paste (Optional)
   

Steps: Boil the raw banana skins,and then make it into a paste.dont add water. Pour oil in the karhai, kala jira, shukki mirch, and the green chilli paste. Add the banana skin paste and add salt to taste. fry throughly. Have it as a side dish with rice.

Kudos to Nirmalya Bhattacharya for reminding me with this banana skin recipe in orkut: http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=15321345