KOVAKKAI MEZHUKKUPURATTY

Kovakkai mezhukkupuratty is another quick recipe and can be made really fast. I love this dry fried recipe. Kovakkai or Ivy Gourd or Tendora is a commonly used vegetable to fry. It is largely available in Kerala. Now-a-days most of the people grow these in their homes. My in-laws daily harvest a lot of kovakkai. They get more than their fare share and end up distributing to their neighbours. I must say I love the kovakkai stir fry than the thoran made with these.

Okay…now take out your chopping boards and let’s start….

Ingredients

• 2 cups Kovakkai /Ivy Gourd, sliced
• 1 no. Green chilli, slit
• 1/4 tsp. Mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. Urad dal
• 4-5 Shallots, sliced
• 1 sprig, Curry leaves
• 1-2 tbsp. Coconut pieces (optional)
• 1/2-3/4 tsp. Kashmiri chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. Turmeric powder
• Coconut oil, as required
• Salt, to taste

Method

• Heat oil in a pan. Splutter mustard seeds and add urad dal. Add kovakkai, green chilli, shallots, curry leaves, coconut pieces. Mix well.
• Add kashmiri chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt to taste. Adjust the quantity of chilli powder according to your taste. Mix well and cook on medium flame for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring well in between.
• Cover and cook until done, stirring once or twice in between.
• Serve with rice.