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Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Dondakaya Vepudu & A Tornado Warning


Before writing about the recipe, let me tell you about something that happened today.
After a lazy, late breakfast today, I prepared lunch and was eagerly waiting for the sun to come out of the cloud wraps. For the past two days, it was hot and humid as it could be and today the sun was behind the clouds when I wanted to take my blog pictures. Soon it started to rain and it was almost past two. I quit and took some pictures in that poor light.
The rain stopped in few minutes, every thing was clear and suddenly,a noisy siren began to blow. We knew what it meant. The first time we heard it was last year. It scared the hell out of us and outside it was raining cats and dogs that day. It was a Tornado Warning.
This year though it was not that frightening, a funnel was spotted some where closer to our area. We had to take a shelter as we don't have a basement. We dressed up hurriedly and drove over towards our big, public library. A siren was blowing in that area too and so the staff gathered all the public in the basement, which was atleast 2 floors down. The warning lasted for 30 minutes.
After these two experiences of just alarms, I could not imagine how and what people go through, who have to face the deadly twisters year after year.

Now, time for today's recipe Dondakaya vepudu or Tindora fry.

Preparation:
Wash the dondakaya / tindoras well and chop the ends of each tindora. Vertically slit into four pieces and then chop them crosswise so that you end up with finely chopped tindora.
Chop a big onion finely.

Ingredients:
2 cups of chopped tindora
Finely chopped onion
Oil - 1.5 to 2 Tbsp
Chili powder - 1/2 - 3/4 tsp
Salt - accordingly
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Cooking:
Heat oil in a wok and add musatrd seeds. When they start to pop, add turmeric powder and onions. Saute onions on medium flame till they turn translucent and then add chopped tindora. Stir it well and cover the wok with a lid. Turn the flame to low and cook the tindora till done. Then fry the tindora for a couple of minutes more on high. Add salt and chili powder to it and mix it well. Let it sit for a couple of minutes more, mix it once again and turn off the stove.
Serve hot with rice and ghee.


Post a comment

17 comments:

archana said...

This tornado episode was really scary.
The recipe is nice and the picture are looking gr8:)

Unknown said...

Suma, this one of my fav... and yours looks really delicious!!

Raaga said...

it is a terrible thing to live thru year after year.

nice recipe :)

indosungod said...

Suma that must have been quiet an experience yup they sure are scary. I cook Tindora almost in a similar fashion but don't add any onions. looks good.

TBC said...

That must have been real scary!

I too make kovakka/tindora regularly.I love how this veggie tastes even without adding spices.

FH said...

Oh dear! Glad you are all okay! We live in safe place.Blue Ridge Mtns on the left protects us from most bad weather and coast is 20+ miles away.It is scary to read that.Take care.
Tondekai palya looks yum! I love that veggie!:)

Saju said...

how scary! Luckily we don't have tornados in England, but as a child, in East Africa, I have experienced earth quakes, they ar scary.
The recipe seems simple and quick AND looks tasty!

Anonymous said...

That is a scary moment, and year after year to pass through that is much pain. I can understand.

Btw, nice recipe, I like tindora.

Manasi said...

Tornado warning! OH!! Glad u all are fine.
Nothing but BRIGHT sunshine in CA...
It's been ages since i tasted tindora/ tondli.. everytime I go to the ndian store I get the left over stale veg. so I never buy it :(

Sharmi said...

dondakaya vepudu is Andhrites all time favorite. that recipe never gets old. nice pics.

Dee said...

love dondakaya suma, i just posted a similar recipe!

Anonymous said...

yup suma, if we sit and ponder upon it, its really a things that destroys lives, properties.. making ones life topsy turvy. i must have been very scary for you all.

www.monaafzal.wordpress.com

Srivalli said...

tornados sounds scary...take care...

and the dish looks great...

Srivalli
www.cooking4allseasons.blogspot.com

Sia said...

thats really scary suma. glad u all r fine. here in closeby areas there was flood warning few days back. take care sweetheart:)

Sia said...

oh!!! for got to tell u how i love this curry. and where is ur paneer methi tamatar???

Suma Gandlur said...

Archana,
Yes it is. Thanks.

Cinnamon,
This one is my favorite too. Thanks.

Raaga,
We don't live in a tornado prone area. Still these things happen.
Thanks.


Indosungod,
Thanks. I prepare some times without onions too. Either way, it is delicious.

Tbc,
Yeah it was. It is also a regular one at my home.

Suma Gandlur said...

Asha,
We too don't live in tornado alley. But being in Midwest,these things happen, I guess.

Saju,
Thanks. Earth quakes are pretty scary too.

Hima, thanks.

Manasi,
It happens with some Indian veggies. Either you don't get them fresh or sometimes they are too pricey.

Sharmi, Dee, Srivalli
Thank you.

Sia,
Thanks. By mistake I typed the title and published it. It's actually Paneer methi pulao and I have published it now.