Name: Kovakkai Fry | Kovakkai Vathakal | Ivy Gourd Fry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 350 gms Kovakkai (Tindora); 1 tsp Salt (Adjust as needed); 1 tsp Coriander Powder; 1 tsp Red Chili Powder; ¼ tsp Turmeric Powder; 2 tbsp Oil; 1 tbsp Oil; 1 tsp Mustard seeds; 1 tsp Split Urad Dal

Kovakkai Fry | Tindora Fry | Ivy Gourd Fry

4.67 from 3 votes

Kovakkai Fry, a delicious stir-fry made with ivy gourd (tindora) and spices. This kovakkai fry goes well with any Sambar/Rasam or any variety rices. Learn here how to make this recipe with step by step pictures and instructions.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

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Kovakkai Fry is a delicious stir-fry made with Ivy Gourd also called “Tindora or Dondakaya”. Ivy Gourd (Kovakkai) looks like a baby cucumber. Kovakkai fry is a very tasty accompaniment to any South Indian main courses like sambar, rasam and any variety rice like Lemon rice, tomato rice, tamarind rice etc. Very easy to make dry curry. I have made this stir-fry as no onion no garlic version. But if you like, you can sauté onion and garlic too.

About Kovakkai (Tindora / Ivy Gourd) and its health benefits

Kovakkai, as it is known as in Tamil, is also known by different names — ivy gourd, tendli in Marathi, dondakaaya in Telugu and tindora in Hindi. It is a perennial herbaceous vine. Apart from their delightful taste, Kovakkai is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and mineral. It can decrease blood sugar levels, additionally, it helps to control our blood cholesterol. Each part of this plant offers great health benefits. The Kovakkai plant is known to improve the metabolism, reduce the blood sugar level, and prevent conditions like diabetes. It is also very good for the heart and the nervous system. Studies have even shown that it helps deal with kidney stones.

Tips for making Kovakkai Fry:

Wash the kovakkai thoroughly before slicing or chopping.

We can slice the kovakkai vertically or we can chop it like small circular pieces.

Stir-fry, cover and cook the kovakkai in medium flame till its soft.

Then keep the flame low and then cook till it becomes light golden color.

We can add crushed peanuts at the end for more flavor.

Cooked tindora tends to shrink so add salt accordingly.

If you like this Kovakkai Fry, then you can also try other recipes made using Kovakkai (Ivy Gourd).

Kovakkai Masala : Kovakkai masala is a very delicious and easy to make gravy with onion and tomato as base gravy. Goes well with Roti or any Indian breads

Kovakkai Thogayal : East to make Thogayal using Kovakkai. This can be mixed directly with hot rice and spoon of ghee.

Tendli Rice | Ivy Gourd Rice : Tendli or Tondli is Ivy Gourd in Marathi. This Tendli rice is a tasty and aroma rich masala rice with Ivy Gourd. A flavorful combination of rice with Tindora or Ivy Gourd.

Recipe Card for Kovakkai Fry:

INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEP BY STEP PICTURES:

PREPARING KOVAKKAI

Clean the Kovakkaai(Ivy Gourd) under running water and chop them vertically. Set it aside.

TEMPERING

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds starts to sputter, add urid dal and fry it till it becomes golden brown color.

Add few curry leaves and give a mix

COOKING KOVAKKAI

Add chopped Kovakkaai(Ivy Gourd) and mix well. Add 1 tablespoon of oil for the Kovakkaai(Ivy Gourd) to fry.

Now add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder and salt.

Mix Kovakkai with all the spice powders along with the salt.

Keep the flame in medium and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the Kovakkaai(Ivy Gourd) to cook completely and become tender.

Stir the kovakkai occasionally to make sure its not getting burnt.

When the kovakkai is cooked well, keep the flame in low and allow kovakkai to become little crispy and golden brown.

SERVING

The yummy Kovakkaai(Ivy Gourd) fry/Kovakkaai(Ivy Gourd) vathakal is ready to serve. This goes well with Sambar rice and also fantastic combination for curd rice.

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