Ivy Gourd (Kovakkai) Fry
Tasty Ivy Gourd (Kovakkai, Tindora) fry cooked with tons of jeera seeds and mild spices
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ivy Gourd/ Kovakkai or Tindora
- 2 tbsp Sambar powder
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp jeera seeds
- 1 twig Curry leaves optional
- Salt to taste
- 3 tbsp oil
If sambar powder is not available
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- ½ tbsp Coriander powder
Instructions
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Wash tindora and trim both ends and then cut them vertically into quarters (see recipe picture).
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Mix sambar powder (if sambar powder is not available, add substitute ingredients), turmeric powder, salt to taste, sprinkle some water and mix well.
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Take a wide non-stick pan, pour oil, when it is hot, add jeera, when it browns a bit, add curry leaves and fry for few seconds, and then add Ivy Gourd pieces with spices, fry for two or three minutes and cover and cook in medium heat for 5 mins.
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Open the lid, stir contents well and continue cooking (without lid) for another 10 mins or so until it gets fully cooked. Add one more ablespoon of oil, mix well and roast till the Kovakkai pieces shrink and are roasted well.
Recipe Notes
You can also cut the Ivy Gourd into thin slices instead of strips. You can add sliced onions, chopped garlic, green chilies, tomatoes, sliced potatoes etc for variations. You can add either one item or multiple items and each combination will produce a unique taste so you will never be bored with this veggie! Enjoy this yummy dish with dal, sambar, chapathi etc.