Aviyal - A Vegetable Side Dish Filled With Nutrients

If you choose to eat healthy vegetarian food, the choice would always come to the cuisine of South India.  One of the Vegetable dishes that I feel is the healthiest and tastiest of all the vegetarian delicacies of the South India would be “Aviyal”. The very word Aviyal means ‘Mixture’. As the word suggests, it is a healthy mixture of vegetables that makes it perfect with Rice, Sambaar and Thoran. Aviyal is a real healthy treat for adults as well as kids.  As for me, this is my favorite vegetable side dish that I usually prepare once in every week. It is simply irresistible.

The limited amount of oil, right proportion of coconut and a mix of a variety of vegetables can make up an Aviyal. The mix of vegetables will include only those vegetables that are traditionally prescribed for the dish. But apart from the traditional mix, I love adding carrots to it. Carrots simply enhance the taste. You can even make Aviyal without carrot or pumpkin. But according to my opinion, carrots and pumpkins add more taste to the dish and you would love to eat more.

Ingredients

·         Cucumber/Vellarikka – ¼ of a cucumber if it is a large one

·         Plantain (Raw)/Pacha Ethakka- 2 nos

·         Snake Gourd/Padavalanga – a small piece

·         Pumpkin/Mathanga – a small piece

·         Carrot – 1

·         Brinjal/Kathirikka- 1

·         Elephant Yam/Chena- a small piece

·         Cluster beans/Amarakka-6 nos

·         Coconut gratings- ½ cup

·         Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

·         Red Chilly Powder- ¼ tsp

·         Green Chilly- 2

·         Garlic – 2 cloves

·         Tamarind paste- a pinch

·         Curry leaves

·         Coconut oil

Method

·         Cut the vegetables into thin pieces of 2 inches

·         Make sure you peel off the skin of the vegetables and cut them

·         Take tava or a large pan

·         Add all the vegetables and green chilies to the pan

·         Pour ½ cup of water to the vegetables

·         Add turmeric powder and red chilly powder to the vegetables

·         Add correct amount of salt and mix well

·         Switch on the flame and close the lid of the vessel

·         Simmer after 10 min

·         In a mixer jar, add coconut gratings, tamarind and garlic cloves

·         Run the mixer for 2 – 3 sec

·         Add the coconut mix to the vegetables

·         Add 2 tbs of coconut oil to the vegetables

·         You may also add the curry leaves to the semi cooked vegetables

·         Close the lid for some more time

·         Open the lid and check whether the vegetables are cooked

·         Switch off the flame and remove the dish to a bowl

·         Serve with Rice, Sambaar and papad

If you want to try out south Indian Vegetarian recipes, then you must never miss trying out Aviyal. It is a healthy and tasty side dish that you would love very much with Rice and Sambar. I love to have aviyal with Chapattis too ;) A rare combination of course, but I love it a lot.