KOVAYKKA MEZHUKKUPURATTI/STIR FRIED IVY GOURD

Kovaykka mezhukkupurati is a common side dish for rice in South India.  In my home we have it once in a week, either in the form of mezhukkupurati or thoran.  I prepare kovaykka mezhukkupurati in different ways.  One method is adding only green chilies, in that preparation the slicing of the gourd is entirely different.  The slicing of vegetables plays a very important role in cooking as it gives the perfect taste to the dish.  In this recipe I used red chilly powder and crushed red chilies.

Ingredients

Ivy gourd – ½ kg

Onion sliced - 1 no

Dried red chilies – 4 nos

Chilly powder – ½ tsp

Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

Salt – to taste

Coconut oil – 2 tbsp

Mustard – ½ tsp

Curry leaves – 1 stalk

How to prepare

Wash and slice ivy gourds in length wise( first cut half in length wise and then cut each half into 4 slices). 

Heat oil in a kadai or pan and sputter mustard. 

Add onions and curry leaves.

Saute for a minute and add crushed red chilies, turmeric powder and red chili powder.  Mix well in a medium flame. 

When it sautés well add kovakka slices and salt.

Mix well and cook covered.

Stir occasionally.

When it is almost done, cook uncovered till it becomes dry fried.