Saturday, November 15, 2008

Kovakka Thoran (Ivy Gourd Stir Fry)




Ivy gourd (or kovakka as it is known in Malayalam) is one of my favorite vegetables to make a thoran with. Very rarely do I find fresh kovakka at my local Indian grocery store. I usually settle for the frozen ones without complaining since it’s far easier to cook with, and also since there’s hardly any difference in the nutritional value between the fresh and frozen ones. Frozen veggies make life so much simpler!

Here is a simple Kerala-style preparation that I make very often.


Ingredients:
300 grams kovakka/tindora/ivy gourd, cut into thin strips (I used the pre-cut frozen ones.)
4-5 shallots, finely chopped
Salt to taste

To be ground coarsely:
1/3 cup coconut
2-3 red chillies
1-2 garlic cloves
½ tsp cumin seeds

For seasoning:
1 Tbsp oil
½ tsp urad dal
½ tsp mustard seeds
A pinch of asafoetida
3-4 curry leaves


Method:
In a pan, heat the oil & add the ingredients for the seasoning (urad dal, mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves).


Sauté the shallots, add the frozen ivy gourd and cook on medium to high heat till all the water evaporates and the strips are done, 5-7 minutes.

Add the ground paste (coconut, red chillies, garlic and cumin seeds) and mix well. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes.


Serve hot with rice and rasam.

27 Burps:

Vijitha said...

Yummmy thoran! tempting pics too!

Finla said...

I love kovka thoran, just looking to tha tpic makes me homesick and i am drooling too.

Laavanya said...

I always make a spicy curry with this.. either fried/stuffed.. thoran sounds like a nice variation.

Laavanya said...

I usually make a spicy curry with this.. thoran looks good and sounds like a good variation.

Anonymous said...

This looks very interesting. I've never seen it before and would like to have a taste.

Paz

sra said...

Some people I know wouldn't eat this veggies because there's a belief that it diminishes intelligence! I've always loved it.

grace said...

i thought i had heard of every type of gourd and squash, but this is a new one to me. i love what you've done with it--mustard is a favorite of mine. :)

raaji said...

I love them fried.......they tastes good...

Anonymous said...

Wow...looks delicious! I love this preparation :)

Cynthia said...

Is the texture of ivy gourd like bottle gourd?

Mandira said...

I started eating Kavakka after coming to the US and love to pick up new recipes for this... will try this soon

Vibaas said...

looks yum. kovakkai is my fav.

you have a nice collection of recipes with awesome pics.

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

First time to your space you have a lovely blog... And the kovakai Thoran is simply tempting...

Sunshinemom said...

I am not really fond of kovakkai but we make it often as everyone else likes it! Your picture is inviting:)

Sig said...

I never used to like kovakka before, especially because my mom used to grow these in the backyard. I am okay with it now, and I am loving all that coconut in your thoran.

Shella said...

Hey TBC I have lately taken a liking to kovakkai and this one sure looks good..

Sharmi said...

this is one of our regular recipes at home, combined with Rasam ofcourse!!

Anonymous said...

Oohh, never had gourd before! This is so new and delicios looking!

Sunshinemom said...

Back into hibernation!! Rise girl:)

J said...

I never liked kovakka much before, but I had a kovakka+kadala thoran which was brilliant. Pic reminds me of that :)

Vaishali said...

The thoran looks incredible, TBC. I don't cook as often with ivy gourd as I should, because it seems so labor intensive, but I do love it. I just have to try this.

Uj said...

Love Tindora...Dont get here so missing it.. Looks delicious..

Anonymous said...

Hey...where are you? Hope things are fine.

veggie belly said...

that looks great, i love kovakka!

Sharmi said...

hello, knock knock ?? are you on a break?

Sharmi said...

hello, knock knock ?? are you on a break?

TBC said...

Thanks for your sweet words everybody.:D
Have not been feeling like doing anything blog-related lately though I have been busy in the kitchen.

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