Category: Edible plants
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Pathila Thoran: Kerala’s Healing Greens on a Plate for Monsoon Wellness
Karkkidakam, the month of heavy rains and seasonal shifts, brings with it the age-old tradition of Pathila Thoran—a nourishing stir-fry made from ten medicinally rich leaves. These backyard greens, harvested with care, provide a natural boost to immunity and well-being. But gathering them requires mindfulness—correct identification, safe harvesting practices, and proper cleaning ensure both health…
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Edible Green Series: Wild Purslane
You may not find this greens/keerai in city or town markets. Or even in villages these days! While I have seen and consumed the Common Purslane, this little one seemed to be a rare find for me. My friends in the Forgotten Greens group used to share this plant from various parts of India but…
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Edible Green Series: Common Purslane
Purslane is found worldwide and is often considered a weed. Despite its humble status, it has been valued as a food source in many cultures for centuries. Purslane was used by ancient Greeks and Romans for its medicinal properties and as a food source. It was also known to be used in ancient Egyptian cuisine…
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Edible Greens:Paan Chronicles: A Vibrant Tapestry of Culture, Memories, and Flavors
As I start on the leafy tales of betel, I find myself scribbling about a plant that seemed as mundane as a garden plant. I had no idea that the vines of betel leaves in both my ancestral and current homes would unfold into a lush narrative of traditions, memories, and unexpected revelations. Memories of…
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Edible green Series – Agathi cheera
Botanical Name: Sesbania grandiflora Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)Common name: Agati • Hindi: गाछ मूंगा Gaach-munga, Hathya, अगस्ति Agasti • Manipuri: Hawaiman • Marathi: शेवरी Shevari, हतगा Hatga • Tamil: Sevvagatti, Muni • Malayalam: Akatti • Telugu: అవిశ Avisha, Ettagise, Sukanasamu • Kannada: ಅಗಸಿ Agasi, ಅಗಸೆ Agase, ಚಿನ್ನದಾರೆ Chinnadaare, ಅರಸಿನ ಜೀನಂಗಿ Arisina jeenangi • Bengali: Buko, Bak • Urdu: Agst • Gujarati: Agathio • Sanskrit: Varnari, Munipriya, Agasti, DrigapalakaEtymology:Sesbania: The genus…
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Which is the real Brahmi?
The debate over which plant is the true Brahmi centers on Centella asiatica, Bacopa monnieri, and Hydrocotyle varieties, each with distinct properties and usages in Ayurveda. In Kerala, Bacopa is primarily called Brahmi, while Centella is referred to in other regions. Understanding these differences is crucial for proper identification and use.
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Hibiscus Flower Stir Fry
In my previous posts, I have mentioned about my Amma making some unique dishes. So thought of sharing one of them today. She calls it Chembarathi upperi, and I named as hibiscus stir fry. The entire cooking process was recorded and my kid wanted it to be in youtube and the link here 😏. The…
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Edible Green Series : Chayamansa
Botanical Name: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Family: Euphorbiaceae (Castor family)Common name from Flowersofindia: Tree Spinach, Tread Softly, Cabbage Star, ChayaEtymology: Cnidoscolus : This genus name is derived from two Greek words: “knidos” meaning “nettle” and “skolos” meaning “thorn.” This is indicative of the plant’s characteristic of having stinging or prickly hairs on its leaves or stems.aconitifolius: This specific epithet…
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Edible Green Series – Taro leaves
Finally, I cooked ‘pathrodo’ all by myself for first time after years of hesitance, lazyness, scaredness & all those kinds of related feelings! When some specific food is tagged to the community we live in, & being a woman, it’s mandatory to know how to cook! Not my words guys. This is from many people…
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Edible Green Series – Multi-green Chutney
When I find edible greens around, it would remind my Amma’s food experiments with all the possible ways. Colorful idlies, mixed green/flowers chutneys, rice varieties, payasams, thorans (dry sabji/curry with grated coconut).. The highlight of those foods is we won’t get to know what all are the ingredients which went in 😝 Amma likes to…
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Edible Green Series – Madhura cheera/Multivitamin plant
This versatile leafy green, known by several names in Malayalam, including Madhura cheera, Chekkurmani, Veli cheera, Mysore cheera, Vitamin cheera, Block cheera, and Pressure cheera, Malay Cheera, Ela cheera is a nutritional powerhouse. It goes by common names such as Star gooseberry, sweet leaf, Tropical Asparagus, Vitamin plant. This leafy green is rich in essential…
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Edible green Series – Thumba
Starting the series of edible greens from the list I provided in one of my previous posts. If you missed to see the list, click here. Botanical Name: Leucas aspera Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)Common names from flowersofindia: Common Leucas • Hindi: छोटा हल्कुसा Chhota halkusa, गॊफा Gophaa • Manipuri: ꯃꯌꯡꯂꯝꯕꯨꯝ Mayanglambum • Marathi: Tamba • Tamil: தும்பை Thumbai • Malayalam: Tumba • Telugu:…
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MY LITTLE THOUGHTS LANE 