Aa Kakarakaya Vepudu – Spiny Gourd Fry | Kakrol Fry

Aa Kakarakaya Vepudu made with seasonal fresh spiny gourds tastes just heavenly. Andhra boda kakarakaya fry is delicious, easy and healthy and gives a nice Southern touch to this veggie dish. The flavours all come together nicely and you feel completely nourished with each spoonful.

Aakakarakaya Vepudu, also known as Spiny Gourd Fry, is a popular South Indian dish that tantalizes taste buds with its unique flavor and texture. This traditional recipe, originating from Andhra Pradesh, has gained popularity across India for its simplicity and delicious taste.

What is Spiny Gourd?

Spiny gourd (Momordica dioica), also known as Kantola, Prickly Carolaho and Teasel Gourd is a member of the gourd family. It’s called Kantola in Hindi kakrol in Bengali, boda kakara, Aa kakarakaya in Telugu, Kankoda in Gujarati and Phagla in Konkani.

This vegetable is characterized by its spiny exterior and bitter-sweet taste. It’s a common ingredient in Indian cuisine.

Health Benefits of Spiny Gourd:

Spiny Gourd, the star ingredient of Aa Kakarakaya Vepudu, offers numerous health benefits:

The small oval-shaped spiky teasel gourds have a crisp flesh and small seeds. The unique gourds which resemble miniature bitter gourds, but not half as bitter, are available during the monsoons in India.

The lovely green spiny gourds have antibiotic properties and are a good source of dietary fibre. The low-calorie spiky vegetable helps reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, reduces the risk of cancer and kidney stones and improves digestion and eye sight.

Aa Kakarakaya Vepudu Recipe:

Kakrol slices fried with onion, tomato and Indian spices taste just great. Boda Kakarakaya fry goes well as a side with rice and dal/rasam.

Aakakarakaya Vepudu is a nice and light dish where the flavour of the gourds comes through. You’ll just relish this lightly-spiced and wholesome fried kakrol. Prepared with fresh, locally available gourds, this recipe is super easy and very tasty, inspired by flavours of South Indian cooking. Serve this as a side with white rice.

• To make spiny gourd fry, firstly, wash the aakakarakaya well. Remove the stem and cut the kakrol into thin slices.

• Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the Aa kakarakaya slices till they turn a light brown.

• Then, remove the fried kakrol and keep aside.

• In the same pan, sizzle mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Then add crushed garlic and sauté for a couple of seconds.
• Next add onion slices and fry till they turn slightly brown.

• Thereafter, tip in the chopped tomato and cook till soft.

• Next, sprinkle salt, turmeric, red chilli powder, cumin powder and coriander powder. Then, mix all the ingredients well and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Finally, add the fried spiny gourd slices, combine well and cook covered for about 5 minutes till all the masalas are well incorporated.

• Garnish the fried boda kakarakaya with freshly chopped coriander and remove from heat.
• Serve Andhra Aa Kakarakaya Vepudu as a side dish with plain rice and dal tadka.

• If you are searching for more gourd fry recipes, then do try out Ivy Gourd Vepudu.

Tips for Perfect Boda Kakarakaya Fry

To elevate your Boda Kakarakaya Recipe, consider these helpful tips:

• Choose fresh, firm spiny gourds for the best flavor and texture.
• Slice the gourds thinly to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.
• Adjust the spice level according to your preference by varying the amount of green and red chilies.
• For a nuttier flavor, add a tablespoon of roasted peanuts or sesame seeds towards the end of cooking.
• Don’t overcook the spiny gourds to maintain their nutritional value and prevent them from becoming mushy.

Variations of Aa Kakarakaya Recipe:

While the traditional Aakakarakaya Vepudu is delicious on its own, you can experiment with these variations:

• Stuffed Spiny Gourd: Cut the gourds lengthwise, remove the seeds, and stuff them with a spicy mixture of mashed potatoes or ground peanuts before frying.
• Spiny Gourd Curry: Transform the dry fry into a curry by adding tomatoes and a splash of coconut milk towards the end of cooking.
• Crispy Kakarakaya: Coat thinly sliced spiny gourds in a mixture of rice flour and spices before deep-frying for a crunchy snack.
• Spiny Gourd Stir-Fry: Add other vegetables like carrots and bell peppers to create a colorful and nutritious stir-fry.

Serving Suggestions for Aa Kakarakaya:

• Rice: Serve with plain rice, jeera rice, or coconut rice for a complete meal.
• Roti or Chapatti: Enjoy the fry with soft and warm roti or chapatti for a satisfying meal.
• Dal or Sambar: Pair with a flavorful dal or sambar for a balanced and hearty meal.
• Raita or Yogurt: Cool down the spiciness of the fry with a refreshing raita or yogurt.
• Bread: Serve with toasted bread or a slice of garlic bread for a quick and easy meal.
• Salads: Pair with a light salad for a healthier option.
• Wraps or Tacos: Use the fry as a filling for wraps or tacos for a fun and flavorful twist.

Kakrol Fry Recipe details below: