Dondakayal curry (Ivy gourd curry)

                  Unlike most of the people who have bread or other light preparations for breakfast like Idly, Dosa in the South India or Poha, puri and other varieties in the North we have one staple breakfast that is Roti with a sabzi or two and it only changes on Sundays or when we run out of the flour. So typically we need to have a variety of sabzis or vegetable preparations. One sabzi that is quite often at my home is Dondakayal. We take up the vegetable name from the Telugu language of the state in which it is called Dondakayalu or Dondakaya. In Hindi it is called Tindora and in English it is known as Ivy gourd or Kovai.

                   These little green pieces are packed with Vitamin B1 B2 and B6 they also contain riboflavin and niacin helping you to fight depression. It also contains Calcium and Iron in a combination that is very well needed to maintain healthy bones. The most important benefit of the vegetable is that, that it helps in lowering the blood sugar level and is one of the best vegetable for people suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

                    Dondakayal curry is very easy to make takes very little time and requires very less ingredients too - the most basic ones in the Indian pantry.

If you are looking for some more sabzis for your rotis check out Aloo pyaaz (potato & onion fry), Onion capsicum masala, Spring onions & moong dal wadi, Khadi dal (Lentils with Dill), Tomato chutney from My Mom's Kitchen and, if you're hunting for some non-vegetarian curries then check out Kheema baingan masala, Aloo kheema, Kababchini ka kheema, Beans & minced meat curry.

Ingredients:

1. Dondakayal/Ivy gourd - 250 gms
2. Onion - 1 no
3. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
4. Red chili powder - 1 tsp
5. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
6. Green chilies - 4 nos
7. Coriander leaves - few
8. Salt - to taste
9. Water - 1 cup
10. Oil - 2 tbsp

Method:

• Heat oil in a pressure cooker.
• Add chopped onion and saute till translucent. Add a little salt as this hastens the process.
• Add ginger garlic paste along with red chili powder and turmeric powder. Mix well.
• Add chopped dondakayal/Ivy gourd.

chopped Dondakayal/Ivy gourd

• Pour in a cup of water. 
• Place the lid of the cooker and cook for 2 whistles. 
• When the pressure of the pressure cooker subsides carefully remove the lid.
• On low flame, without the lid placed, add slit green chilies and chopped coriander leaves.
• Cook on low flame for 5 more minutes. Adjust the salt.
• Serve hot with Chapatis.

Do try and share your thoughts with us...

Happy Cooking!!!