Kovaikka Masala

Ingredients needed for the Kovaikka Masala
1/2 kilo fresh Kovaikka - each, cut across into rounds (3 to 5 pieces),
1 medium sized onion - finely chopped
½ cup sesame seeds
¼ cup powdered coconut
4 to 6 dried red chillies
1 tablespoon powdered jaggery (or to your taste)
½ teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp turmeric powder

How To Temper the Kovaikka Masala?
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp cumin / jeera
1 tbsp garlic minced
2 red chillis broken into small bits
Handful curry leaves

How to prepare the Kovaikka Masala Recipe?
Take a frying pan and without oil, lightly roast sesame seeds, coconut powder and dried red chillies. Spread them out and cool, then grind to a fine, smooth paste. Keep aside.
In  the same pan, heat one teaspoon of oil, add one teaspoon each of mustard seeds, cumin, minced garlic and curry leaves
Add chopped onion, saute till the onions turn golden, after which add the kovaikka pieces.
Mix them well, simmer, cover and cook, stirring in between for about 10 to 15 minutes or till the vegetables are tender and soft. You can sprinkle water only if you feel it is needed.
When they are tender, add the sesame and coconut paste, jaggery, salt and turmeric powder.
Add about half glass of water. Stir to mix well and cook them covered. Let the gravy thicken.
Serve hot with rice.

Notes
You can microwave the fresh coconut for a minute or so to get dry coconut and powder, if you do not have the coconut powder.
This dish accompanies Rice as well as Chapathis as a side dish.