Donkadai Vepudu

Tindora is called dondakai in Telugu. This small elongated green vegetable with white lines is a good source of protein and fiber. According to Wiki this vegetable is called gentlemen’s toes ironically in line with lady’s finger. Vepudu is pretty much made with any kind of vegetable in Andhra. This is a very simple recipe but very tasty even though the final product doesn’t look as colorful as the fresh vegetable itself.


This pic is a courtesy of wikipedia

Wash and cut the ends. Then first slice the dondakai vertically into 2 halves. Then slice each half into vertical slices. You can fry these pieces or cut them into smaller pieces like me, if you have more patience. Once you are done with cutting you are done with the hard part.
In a pan, heat one teaspoon of oil and add the cut dondakai pieces and cover it. Let it cook for 5-7 mins or until soft. Then add a little turmeric, salt and red chili powder according to you taste. Mix them and let it cook for another 5 mins. At this stage add a crushed clove of garlic. Then remove the lid and fry the vegetable for 2-3 mins until it reaches a crunchy stage. Enjoy the dondakai vepudu with rice or chapati.