This was one of  my sister S`s favourite sides. She always used to like it when mami made kovakkai fry. One of the best combos for Kovakkai Fry was to have it with spicy Morkuzhambu. Kovakkai I have heard  is good for health as its rich in Vitamin A and also in fibre. Somehow my mom was never too thrilled with Kovakkai as a vegetable as its only way of cooking it is as a fry, which in itself is not very healthy. Kovakkai has to be bought fresh and the only way I know that its not too good that when cut, it has little pinkish tinges. I never keep it in the refridgerator for too long when I buy it in the stores here as the water sprayed on the vegetables in the stores is not too good for them to stay fresh.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound of Kovakkai

1 spoon of red chilli powder.

1/2 spoon of sambar powder.

A pinch of turmeric powder.

Hing.

Seasoning:

Mustard, Broken Urad Dhal, Curry Leaves.

PREPARATION:

• Slice the kovakkai vertically or else cut them in to cross sectional circles.
• Allow them to dry out for a few minutes before lighting up the stove. Meanwhile sprinkle the kovakkais with the red chilli powder and hing.
• Switch on the stove and pour 3 spoons of oil on the kadai. Allow to heat for a few minutes and then add the urad dhal and mustard seeds and when they splutter the curry leaves and hing.
• Immediately add the chopped kovakkai and turmeric and salt.  Mix well and then add the sambar powder.
• Sprinkle a little water to aid in cooking. Keep stirring so it doesnt catch the bottom of the kadai.
• Add oil whenever you feel that the vegetables are cracking up on the heat.
• Switch off when done and serve with Morkuzhambu or Vengaya Sambar.