KOVAKKAI  OR   IVY  GOURD

Kovakkai  is supposed to be a very good vegetable full of nutrient values.

It is thought to have considerable medicinal value and is used traditionally to control fever, asthma, bronchitis and jaundice. It helps regulate blood sugar levels. It is rich in Vitamin C, which helps strengthen bones. It also contains Vitamin B1 and B2, and traces of Vitamin A. All these vitamins are vital for the human body, and help strengthen the immune system.

It loses its nutrients when cooked with much oil and lots of spices. Here comes a very simple and nutritious recipe out of it.

Kovakkai	½ kg
Chilli powder	1 tsp
Asafoetida	1 tsp
Oil to season	2 tsp
Jeera, mustard and urad dhal	1 tsp each to season
Salt to taste
Buttermilk	1 tbsn

1.     Wash and cut the kovakkai into ½" round pieces.

2.     Add buttermilk, mix well and keep them in a microwave bowl with a lid and microwave them for 2 to 3 minutes.

3.     See whether the vegetable has become soft and ¾ cooked.

4.     Place a broad based nonstick tawa on stove and season the spices in 2 tsp oil.

5.     Add the kovakkai and roast them well in medium fire.

6.     As the vegetable is microwaved already, the roasting will be done quickly.

7.     Add required salt, chilli powder and asafoetida and roast for 2 minutes.

8.     This curry can even be mixed with cooked dhal and used as a substitute for sambar or koottu.