Avarai Kai
Base on my search in the net, there are not much information on Avarai Kai, which surprised me. However this is a well known vegetable, among the Indians. The other names known for Avarai Kai are Hyacinth Bean, Egyptian Bean, Pharao Bean, Bonavist Bean, Chinese flowering Bean, Shink Bean, Val Bean, Wild Field Bean, Indian Bean and also as Dolichos Lab-Lab.
This is a tropical vein plant from the legume family and is widely grown in Africa, India and Indonesia. The plant is easy to grow and needs little administration. Like any other tropical plant, this needs lots of sun and water and well drained soil. As this is a vein type, it requires strong support to grow as it can easily surpass about ten feet height and pull heavily on their growing structures. The supports can be trellises, arbors, fences or even walls. It bears beautiful and fragrant flowers and these attracts bees, butterflies and birds and adds color to the garden. Avarai Kai will start flowering just after being planted for about 2 months.
The flowers will eventually turn to be pods which come in green and purplish. The pods look a little like the snow pea. The pod is actually the one used for cooking and these needs to be young. If the pods are not plucked young, peel off and the seed can still be used for cooking, and it is not poisonous (I am still alive to write this after eating it…….)
This vegetable which is not so famous is good for diabetics and a good source of fiber. This is also the most sought after vegetable and a must to be eaten during the confinement. This legume is also capable of enriching the soil with nitrogen. However just be a little cautions as it will take over and shade out other plants. So plan the plot well before planting and the best I have seen so far are on the fences. It is a beautiful sight.
I have never had any insect or disease problem with Avarai kai. So this is a good for home gardening and you will never be short supplied with the beans. To save the seed for future planting, just let, some of the pods dry and brown on the vines, then open the pods and save the seed.
I love to stir fry this with potato and also toss into curry and it tastes yummy.
I found an interesting recipe at http://www.kitchentantra.com/search/label/Beans using Avarakai. Happy trying…
Let’s go green.
