Aviyal

Aviyal is a South Indian delicacy made with a lot of vegetables in a coconut and curd mixture. Vegetables like cucumber, cluster beans, pumpkin, ivy gourd can be used in the preparation of Aviyal aside from those listed in the ingredient list below. It is important to cook the vegetables based on the descending order of the amount of time it takes so that the vegetables don’t turn mushy. Aviyal is best served with rice and sambhar or Adai.

Ingredients:

• 1 Drumstick
• 1 cup Elephant foot yam
• 1 cup Ash gourd
• 1 Carrot
• 1 Potato
• 1 Raw unripe banana
• 4 Green beans
• 2 Brinjals
• 4 Green chillies
• 1 cup Coconut, grated
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 1 cup Curd, beaten 
• 1 tablespoon Coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
• 2 sprig Curry leaves
• 2-3 cups Water approximately
• Salt as needed

Preparation:

Clean and cut all the vegetables lengthwise. Take 2 cups of water in a deep bottomed vessel and bring it to boil.  With an interval of  five minutes add the vegetables in the following order:

• First, add drumsticks.
• Followed by elephant foot yam.
• Next add potato, banana, carrot and beans.
• Finally add ash gourd, brinjals, 2 green chillies and 1 teaspoon salt. 

In the meantime, take grated coconut, cumin, 2 green chillies along with 4 tablespoons of water in a blender and grind it to a smooth paste. Check if the vegetables are soft and tender. Make sure not to overcook it. Add the ground coconut paste and give it a quick stir. Check for salt and add more if required to suit your taste. Reduce the flame to low and add the curd and mix through.

In a small pan heat, coconut oil over a medium flame and temper mustard seeds and curry leaves. Pour it over the aviyal and serve.

Notes:

• About half a teaspoon of turmeric powder can be added while boiling the vegetables to give the Aviyal a nice yellow tint if you prefer. 
• The water required may vary depending on the number of vegetables you are using. Start with two cups of water and add more if required along the way.
• If you are using a different set of vegetables the time taken and the order to cook the vegetables may vary.
• It is not mandatory that you use all the vegetables listed above. Use as many as possible.