Avial (Aviyal)

Avial (Aviyal)

Avial forms one of the main side dishes of the famous Kerala Sadhya.  It is a pure vegetarian and vegan (when yogurt is substituted with raw mangoes or tomatoes) side dish for rice and is deemed to be very nutritious as well as healthy due to its versatility of ingredients and fullness of healthy fibres.  The traditional recipe includes ingredients like drumstick, elephant yam or ash gourd, but it can be substituted with available vegetables. 

Ingredients for avial

Raw plantains (raw banana) 1 nos

Ash gourd 200 gm
Drumstick 2 nos (it is the unripe beans of Moringa tree)
Elephant yam 150-200 gm
Yard long beans 100 gm (can be substituted with any other tender beans)
Snake gourd 100 gm
Carrot 1 nos
Green chillies 5 nos
Shallots 10 nos
Turmeric powder ¼ tsp
Salt to taste
Grated coconut 200 gms
Cumin seeds ½ tsp
Coconut oil 2 tbsp
Curry leaves 1 sprig

Preparation of avial

Wash and clean the vegetables.  Peel the vegetables if needed and cut them into 4 cm long stripes.  Split the chillies lengthwise.  Cook the vegetables adding enough water, salt and turmeric powder in a vessel on medium heat with lids closed.   The vegetables should not be overcooked.  They should become tender only.

Grind the grated coconut along with the cumin seeds and add to the vegetables, mix well and cook for a further 5 minutes.  Split each shallot into four and add to the curry.  Add the curry leaves and mix well.  Add the yogurt and mix well and remove from heat.  Don’t allow to boil the curry once the yogurt is added.

 

Note: yogurt can be substituted with raw mangoes or tomatoes for a pure vegan preparation of the avial curry.  Then these should be cooked along with the vegetables.