21 Jan 2015

Athalakkai Poriyal | Athalakkai Stir Fry

My father loves vegetables and growing up, we were exposed to a lot of veggies. Being a fussy eater, I was never a fan of some of the veggies that my mom cooked but now, post marriage I have learnt to eat a lot of vegetables. But still this vegetable is still not my favorite since it is extremely bitter. This is supposed to be very good for diabetics. 

Athalakkai Stir Fry


This vegetable is not very popular and not many people know about it. I have tried to find out the english name for this vegetable but I have not been successful. The botanical name is Momordica Cymbalaria, Kaasara Kaaya  in Telugu, Karsikayi  in Kannada and Kattupaval in Malayalam but I don't know what is the english name. If you do find out, let me know! I have attached a picture of this vegetable for your reference.

ATHALAKKAI STIR FRY
Preparation time 5 mins | Cooking time 15 mins | Serves 2

Ingredients

  • Athalakkai - 1/4 kg
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt - to taste
To Temper
  • Oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1/4 tsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Green chillies - 2 
Athalakkai Stir Fry


Method
1. Remove the stalk from the athalakkai and wash it well.


2. In a kadai, add oil. Once the oil heats up, add the mustard seeds, urad dal, cumin seeds, green chillies and curry leaves.
3. When the mustard and cumin seeds splutter, add the athalakkai and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add salt.


4. Add the turmeric powder and garam masala powder and stir together.
5. Sprinkle some water and cook covered for about 5 minutes or until well cooked. Keep stirring often.


6. Once cooked, switch off.

We made some atalakkai kara kuzhambu to go wiht this stir fry. Will post that recipe later.

Athalakkai Stir Fry


Notes
1. You can add chopped onions too but my dad prefers it this way.



Until next time,
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28 comments:

  1. We have to cook it whole!!! something new for me.
    stepwise pics are cool!

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  2. This Veg is very new to me...Lovely spread

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  3. this is new to me....looks crispy fry

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  4. new to me..never tried this one..

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  5. I have never seen it:P But your prep looks so yummy!! Is t in season now?

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  6. wow such a rare veggie iglad u shared tis one.. wish i get some

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  7. i'm seeing this veg for the first time, looks delicious!!!

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  8. Such an inviting dish. This vegetable is new to me.

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  9. Delicious and healthy stir fry..... :)

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  10. Totally new to me but very tempting...looks to be very healthy!!

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  11. This is a new vegetable to me, But the poriyal looks healthy and delicious

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  12. new veggie to me,stir fry looks yumm with steamed rice :)

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  13. this veggie is totally unknown to me... looks like beans... must have tasted yum...

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  14. This vegetable sounds new to me.. looks delicious and healthy..

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  15. OMG... I miss Athalakkai... Wondering is it available in Chennai too? When we were in chennai we used to get it from native usually...

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  16. Beulah, Try washing the veggie and dry before removing the stalk. It helps to control the bitterness. It is very mild bitter when compared to bitter gourd. adding garam masala is new for me. will try :)))

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  17. I don't know if we have this beans/veg over here but I have tasted during my travel ventures. The dish looks inviting and a nice side dish for rice.

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  18. Interesting recipe.. Never heard of this veg before now eager to try this for my diabetic dad..

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  19. I haven't seen this veg...Looks healthy

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  20. Looks yummy...new veg for me...

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  21. Really interesting,would live to try it Beulah !You amaze me!Great job girl!

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  22. This is Momordica cymbalaria (kaasara kaayalu in Telugu) cousin of Memordica charinta (kaakara kaayalu) Memordica dioica (Aagakara kaaya) and some more. This is native AP and Tamil Nadu.

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