Kovakkai

After I came to India, today is the first time I happened to taste Kovakkai (a vegetable called ivy gourd).  But this has been classified as a fruit!  This vegetable(fruit) is famous especially in Chennai (perhaps I have not seen it anywhere in India).  I really like it and it goes well with any type of rice or chapathi.  It is sliced into small discs and deep fried in oil with spices and salt.  It resembles a Jalapeno in shape and it is red inside with tiny and soft seeds.  But it is not very hot and spicy like a Jalapeno.

I am not surprised when the poets in India compare it to the color of women’s lips.  Well atleast women ought to have lips in that color!

It has some medicinal uses also.  It is used in treating diabetes, skin eruptions among many others.  It is used as a herb in Thailand.  May be you can refer to wikipedia to know more.