"Puli Koddel" - A Konkani festive/ temple meal delicacy

Puli Koddel" is a Sweet Ash gourd curry made during Konkani festivals.
Although white flesh of the ash-gourd is tasteless it is loaded with nutrients. It's an excellent source of vitamin B1 (thiamine), a good source of vitamin B3 (niacin), and vitamin C. It is also rich in many minerals like calcium. Its high potassium content makes this a good vegetable for maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

This dish is a staple in almost all meals served in our Konkani's Venkatramana temples anywhere in the world.This dish is slightly sweet and goes superbly well with the "Saaru" /Rasam.
This is another side-dish that does not contain any onion/garlic and can be called as "Sathvik food".

"Mooga Ghashi" or Moong Beans in seasoned coconut gravy - A Konkani dish

Moong beans are highly recommended not only as a rich source of nutrients but also as medication. Moong beans can help to clear heat and toxins from the body, balance the organs and skin. Mung beans also improve circulation throughout the body.

Here is a simple side-dish using Moong beans.

The seasoning is of mustard and curry leaves so it can be prepared on festival days when onion and garlic cannot be used.

Sichuan Pepper seasoned flat beans and bread fruit curry or "Avro ani Jeev Kadgi theppal Ghashi" in Konkani

"Avro ani Jeev Kadgi theppala ghashi" is nothing but Flat beans and Bread fruit curry which is seasoned using a unique spice called "Theppal". This spice is used to season dishes on festive days , just like the way Asafoetida and mustard seeds/curry leaves are are used, since these are considered as 'Sathvik" in the Hindu religion. These spices are used instead of onions and garlic on these auspicious and holy days.
"Theppal" is a spice which until recently I always thought was unique to Coastal Karnataka and Goa.
Its only very recently that I came to know that "Theppal" is nothing but "Sichuan pepper" that is used in Chinese cuisine and sometimes Japanese cuisine too.
However the Konkanis used it a bit differently.
They use it to season curries.
Breadfruit is low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium and very high in Vitamin C, Dietary Fiber and Potassium. The nutritional value of breadfruit helps you to maintain optimum health. Breadfruit has been considered as a nutritionally beneficial fruit.
Flat beans are low in fat and offer an excellent source of protein.
Sichuan pepper is not only tasty, but is also reported to have a number of health benefits and is sometimes used as a blood purifier and digestive aid.Here is a side-dish which is made using "Flat beans" and "Bread fruit" and then seasoned with Sichuan pepper.

Valval - Konkani Style Vegetable Stew

"Valval" is a Konkani Style Vegetable Stew which is very easy to make, yet very tasty.
This dish is a mix of different vegetables simmered in cumin flavored coconut milk.
A favorite with my daughter so I make it quite often.