Fresh Vegetables

Appearance: Long and slender, usually with green skin and sometimes with white stripes or spots.Texture: Crisp and tender flesh with soft seeds embedded in a spongy core.Flavour: Mild and slightly sweet, akin to cucumber but firmer.Culinary Uses: Commonly used in South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Mi..

Avarekai: Flavourful Legume from South IndiaAppearance: Small to medium-sized beans with a distinctive oval shape and a light green or cream colour.Texture: Tender and creamy when cooked, with a slightly nutty flavour.Culinary Uses: Versatile in South Indian cuisine, used in various dishes such as a..

White Onion: Culinary Staple with Mild FlavourAppearance: Round or oval-shaped bulbs with papery white skin and white flesh inside.Texture: Crisp and juicy when raw, soft and sweet when cooked.Flavour: Mild and slightly sweet compared to yellow or red onions, making it versatile for various dishes.C..

Baby Ash Gourd: Differentiation and Nutritional ValueDescription: Baby ash gourd, a young and tender variety of the ash gourd (Benincasa hispida), is characterized by its small, round shape and smooth, pale green skin.Nutritional Value:Vitamins: Rich in vitamin C, supporting immune function and skin..

Yam: Nutritious Tuber with Culinary VersatilityVarieties: There are several types of yams, including Dioscorea alata (purple yam), Dioscorea esculenta (white yam), and Dioscorea rotundata (white yam), among others.Appearance: Typically rough, brownish skin with white, purple, or yellow flesh, depend..

Green Pumpkin: Characteristics and UsesAppearance: Green pumpkins have a smooth, firm skin that is typically dark green in colour. The flesh inside may be pale green to yellowish-white.Texture: Firm and crisp, similar to zucchini or other summer squashes.Flavour: Mild and slightly sweet, with a subt..

Raw Turmeric: Fresh and PotentAppearance: Resembles ginger root but with a bright orange-yellow flesh inside.Texture: Firm and knobby exterior with a dense, solid interior.Flavour: Earthy, slightly bitter, and peppery.Culinary Uses:Fresh Turmeric Paste: Grated or finely chopped raw turmeric can be u..

Pumpkin: Nutrient-Rich and Versatile SquashDescription: Pumpkin, a winter squash with a round shape and smooth, ribbed skin, is known for its vibrant orange colour and sweet, slightly nutty flavour. It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is cultivated globally.Nutritional Value:Vitamins: Rich in..

Nutritional Value:Protein: Pigeon pea beans are a rich source of plant-based protein, essential for muscle repair and overall growth.Fibre: High in dietary fibre, which supports digestive health, regulates bowel movements, and promotes satiety.Vitamins: Contains significant amounts of vitamin A, vit..

Let's explore how black-eyed peas are used in both North Indian and South Indian cuisines:North India:Dals and Curries: In North Indian cuisine, black-eyed peas, known as "lobia," are often used in preparing various dals (lentil soups) and curries. "Lobia Masala" is a popular dish where black-eyed p..

Appearance: White bitter gourd differs from the more common green bitter gourd in that it has a pale white or ivory-coloured skin. The shape and texture are generally similar to green bitter gourd, elongated with a bumpy exterior.Taste: Like its green counterpart, white bitter gourd has a bitter tas..