23 MASHED WATER SPINACH ( SARKARAI VALLI KEERAI MASIYAL)

Kang kong /Mashed water spinach/(Kaattu Keerai/Sarkaraivalli) Keerai Masiyal / Anne Soppu ( Kannada)/ Gurukkoorakku (Telugu)


It is also known as aquatic morning glory,Swamp morning glory, swamp cabbage, chinese water spinach, kangkong. Kalmua in Hindi, Tutikura in Telugu, Kalamba in sanskrit, Vallai Kirai(k(S)arkarei valli) in Tamil, Chanthion in Kannada.


Had this post in my drafts for more than 5 months, that is from my trip to India. Main reason was finding its name in English and only recently got to know that it is called as water spinach. At home my mom calls it as kaattu keerai in Tamil and GuruKoorakku in my home language. I googled a lot and found all these names above through wikipedia.


This is very commonly prepared at home and served with rice. The taste is really awesome. During my visit this time I was able to eat of greens and one such is this keerai masiyal. Prepared with very minimum ingredients and less time. Try it out and you will agree with me.


Water spinach - 1 bunch
Small onions/shallots - around 6 roughly chopped
Red chillies - 3 or 4 broken into half
Tamarind - 2 inch piece
Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
Salt as needed
Oil - 3/4 tbsp
Mustard seeds - very little
Urad dhal - very little
Garlic - 3 or 4 pods crushed ( optional)


Dry roast coriander seeds until nice brown without darkening and keep aside.
Heat 1/4 cup of water and add the leaves and cook. To it add coriander seeds, salt and tamarind. Cook till leaves are shrinked and very soft. Remove and cool. Later grind to a paste or mash with a masher.
Heat oil and temper with mustard seeds, urad dhal and red chillies. Next add crushed garlic( you can skip this one) and onions. Fry till nice brown and pour in the mashed greens. Mix and serve with rice.

Sending this "Only greens" event hosted by Sara an event started by Pari.