Kovakka Curry (Dondakaya) with a spice powder

Dondakaya or Kovakka is made quite often at home.  Generally it is a stir fry.  The simplest way to make it. But this recipe at Ambika's Kitchen*  had a kovakka curry with a nice powder ( podi) and I was willing to put in a little effort today to make it different from the usual. Though the curry at AK was cooked before the addition of the podi, I stir fried the veggie.

Ingredients:
Kovakka - 250 gms

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida - a large pinch
Aamchur powder - 1/2 tsp ( if you are cooking it with a little water you can use tamarind instead)
Salt to taste


Seasoning:
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Oil - 3 tbsp

Podi
Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp
Chana dal - 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Red chilies - 6 nos
Coconut - 1/4 cup grated
Sesame seeds - 1 tbsp
Garlic - 2-3 pods
Curry leaves - few

Dry roast all the ingredients.
Grind to a powder - not very fine.
Keep aside.

Heat oil in a wok
Add the mustard allow to splutter
Proceed with the asafoetida.
And then the cut kovakka
Put in the turmeric and the amchur powder
Stir fry till done.
Add the podi, mix and keep for a little longer.

Serve with hot rice or rasam or have it with rotis.

Any extra spice powder or podi can be kept in a airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for future use.

*Ambika's Kitchen - link