Ivy Gourd Masala

Ivy Gourd (kovaikai) is a healthy green vegetable which is very good for health, as it has immense health benefits. Ivy gourd has properties that helps to improve digestion & finds its great use in  ayurvedic medicines/treatments. The most common form in which this green vegetable is consumed in South India is in form of a dry/stir curry, which we call Kovaikai Roast and goes very well with south Indian rice items like sambar/rasam/kozhambu etc. This version of Kovaikai is most suited for Indian breads and since it is spiced up with masala’s, onions and tomatos, it gives a pinch of a north-indian gravy flavor and makes it very palatable dish to eat with roti’s/chapathi’s.

English Name : Ivy Gourd / Tamil Name : Kovaikai /  Telgu Name : Dhondakaya / Hindi Name: Tondli / Tindora
 

Best Accompaniment for : Chapathi/ Roti / Phulka

Ingredients:

 

1.        Kovaikai – 2 Cups (cut either lengthwise or circles)
2.        Chopped Big Onion – 1
3.        Chopped Big Tomato – 1
4.        Ginger&Garlic paste
5.        G.Chillies (slit) - 2
6.        Red Chilly Powder – 2 tsp
7.        Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
8.        Haldi – ½ tsp
9.        Black pepper Powder – ½ tsp
10.     Jeera Powder – ¼ tsp
11.     Garam masala powder – ¼ tsp
12.     Coriander leaves
13.     Seasoning Ingrediants: Oil, mustard, split urud dhal, channa dhal, jeera, curry leaves

Method:

1.        Pressure cook Kovaikai for 2-3 whistles adding very little water.
2.        In Kadai, season as given, add ginger garlic paste.

3.        Add onion and fry till aromatic.

4.        Add Tomato and fry till mushy.

5.        Add cooked kovaikai and required water.

6.        Add Red chilly powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder, jeera powder, haldi & Salt & mix well.

7.       Mix all the ingrediants and cook covered for 5-10 mins & bring to thick gravy consistency.

 
8.        Before removing add Garam masala powder and coriander leaves and mix well & remove.