Aviyal (A Keralite Healthy Veg Coconut Stew)

Ingredients

• 2 Drumsticks/ Sajiwan/ Sajnadantha/ Murringakka- cut into 3" pcs
• 1 small Pumpkin piece cut into pieces
• 1 small Elephant foot yam / Oal / Suran /Chena cut into pieces
• 1 small Eggplant / Baigan Cut into pieces
• 1 small Ash Gourd Cut into pieces
• 1 Snake Gourd
• 1 Raw Banana cut into pieces
• 10-12 Beans cut into 2- 3 " pieces
• 1 Medium sized Carrot cut into pieces
• 5-6 Ivy Gourd / Kundru / Tindora / Kundri
• 1 Tsp Turmeric powder
• Salt as per taste
• 3 Green Chillies
• 1 Tbsp Cummin seeds (or Cummin powder)
• 1 Cup Grated Coconut
• 1-1.5 cup Plain Yoghurt / Curd
• 15-20 Curry leaves
• 2-3 Tbsp Coconut oil

Steps

1. Prepare the vegetables- Wash, Peel and cut the vegetables lengthwise. I don't cut it very small but cut it chunky as I want the veggies to be cooked and soft but hold it's shape and not get smashed at the end. It takes a little longer time to get it cooked.
2. Boil all the vegetables with little water, turmeric and salt. While vegetables are boiling, prepare paste with chilli, coconut and Cummin in a mixer grinder or mortar and pestle (I have made the paste in mortar and pestle so it's kind of rough). Whisk the curd/ yoghurt.
3. After the vegetables gets cooked, add the mixed coconut paste and the curd and mix well but gently. Cook till the raw flavour of the Cummin goes off, check salt and add if needed. Adjust the consistency of the gravy you want or you can make it dry kind too. At last add the curry leaves and coconut oil, put off the flame and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve with Rice.