Moringa - Drumstick leaves kootu - Murugai keerai kootu - Moringa leaves stew

Drumstick or Moringa leaves have many health benefits. It is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. 

Moringa is native to India and it is easily available in local vegetable markets throughout India. It is a tree that is commonly cultivated in houses.

The dried leaves can be used to make a rice mix (Muruga ela podi).  Here we are going to see Moringa leaves kootu, which is highly nutritious. It is a very healthy recipe, rich in iron, which should be consumed frequently.

Pumpkin fibrous strands and seeds thogayal - Pumpkin thogayal - Poosanikkai thogayal

Pumpkin is one of the widely grown vegetables, which is rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. It is good for our health. 

Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, which includes Cucumber, Honeydew melon, Watermelon and Zucchini.

All the parts of a Pumpkin are edible. Here we are going to see a thogayal, which is made from the strands and seeds (inner soft part) of a Pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds are used to make halwa.

Ennai kathrikkai - Stuffed Brinjal curry

Brinjal is a common vegetable, which is widely used in India.  It is also known as eggplant. 

This stuffed Brinjal curry is one the best side dishes for curd rice. This is also a good combination for rice with sambar and rasam too.

There are a few variations in this preparation. Here I have narrated a simple version that brings out soft and delicious curry.

Ash gourd spiced buttermilk - White pumpkin or winter melon spiced buttermilk - Poosanikkai buttermilk - Ash gourd coolant

White pumpkin or Ash gourd has many health benefits. It has an important place in our Ayurvedic medicine.

Ash gourd is rich in water, vitamins B, C, other minerals, and fiber. Buttermilk is rich in calcium and other minerals. Ash gourd with buttermilk and a few other spices is very good for digestion and aids in peptic ulcer.

It reduces excess heat in our body and can be taken as a mid-day drink.

Bitter gourd deep fry - Pavakkai fry

Bitter gourd or Pavakkai has many health benefits. Usually, we have to consume bitter gourd without losing its nutritional value. 

Normally, we prepare porial or sambar. Here for a change, we are going to prepare a deep-fry side dish, which is an excellent combination for curd rice and sambar rice. You can take this along with curd rice while traveling.

It is a very tasty and crunchy side dish, which you can prepare swiftly, with very few ingredients.