Alwatti with Corn Curry (Colocasia Leaves Curry)

ALWATTI WITH CORN COB

Colocasia/Taro/Alu leaves are seen in abundance in the tropical region. It adapts well to hot, marshy, humid climate. Very popular dishes are made using these leaves in the southern and western regions of India. Many households grow these beautiful plants in their backyards. They have so big leaves that it contributes to the lush greenness in the yard. Also known as Alu paan, this recipe is called Alwati, it's very tasty and can be made with the various combination of other ingredients like peanuts, jackfruit seeds, corn, channa dal etc. I consider this recipe exotic due to its unique taste, look and feel of the dish :) These leaves are also used in making the famous dish called Patrode or Patra.

HomeGrown Leaves

It is very easy low maintenance plant to grow in your backyard. You can either grow it in a big pot or directly in the soil. Get taro roots from the supermarket and soak it in water for a couple of days till you see small roots popping out of the root. Now all you have to do is plant it about 2-3 inches down in the soil. Water regularly and see this gigantic nutritious leaves coming out in a couple of weeks.

Let's check out the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 6-7 good size Colocasia leaves
• 3/4 cup grated coconut
• 1 small marble size tamarind
• 2-3 green chillies
• 1 inch ginger
• 2 corn cobs cut into pieces
• 4-5 buttermilk chillies (taka mirsang) - optional
• salt to taste

For the tempering:

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• pinch asafoetida (hing)
• 10-12 curry leaves

Preparation:

• Chop colocasia leaves along with the stem. Pressure cook leaves and corn cobs for 4 whistles (or cook till corn is done). 
• Make a paste by grinding coconut, tamarind, green chillies and ginger.
• Take a pan, add this paste along with cooked corn and wilted colocasia leaves and bring to a boil.
• Add salt and simmer for few more minutes.
• For the tempering, in a tadka pan add oil, 1/2 tsp mustard seeds, once it splutters add curry leaves and hing. Pour it over the cooked colocasia mixture. Stir gently.
• In the end, add fried buttermilk chillies in the curry and serve hot with roti's or rice. Your aromatic, healthy dish is ready!

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

recipe credit to Anuradha Mudalagiri, my fellow foodie. 

Home-grown Colocasia leaves

Health Benefits: Colocasia leaves are loaded with potassium and several minerals and vitamins. Helps to build a strong immune system, fights fatigue problems, helps lower blood pressure, helps in anti-aging process as it has a high content of hyaluronic acid. It's a low glycemic index food. These are home grown Colocasia leaves :)