Goan Tendli Sukhem
A simple Goan stir-fry of ivy gourd cooked with onions, coconut, and a light masala. It stays dry, mildly spiced, and full of everyday home-style flavor, making it perfect with rice, dal, or chapati.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~15 min
Prep the tendli and onion.
1.Wash the tendli well and trim both ends.2.Slice the tendli lengthwise into thin pieces so it cooks evenly.3.Slice the onion thinly and slit the green chilies. - saute · ~2 min
Start the tempering.
1.Heat oil in a kadai over medium heat.2.Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.3.Add curry leaves and green chilies and cook for a few seconds.TIPKeep the heat medium so the mustard seeds crackle without burning the curry leaves. - saute · ~5 min
Cook the onion.
Add the sliced onion and cook until soft and lightly golden, stirring often so it sweetens without catching at the bottom.
- saute · ~3 min
Cook the tendli with spices.
1.Add the sliced tendli and mix well with the onion.2.Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.3.Stir for 2 minutes so the vegetables are coated well. - simmer · ~10 min
Cover and cook until tender.
Add water, cover, and cook on low heat until the tendli is just tender but not mushy. Stir once or twice during cooking.
TIPUse only a little water; sukhem should stay dry, not saucy. - mix · ~3 min
Add coconut and tamarind.
Stir in the grated coconut and tamarind paste. Cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes until the moisture dries up and the flavors come together.
- serve
Serve the Goan Tendli Sukhem warm.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Slice the tendli as evenly as possible so all the pieces turn tender at the same time.
- 2Let the onions go lightly golden before adding tendli; that sweetness balances the tamarind.
- 3Keep the water minimal and cook covered on low so the sukhem stays dry, not stewy.
- 4Add the fresh coconut near the end only, so it stays sweet and fluffy instead of greasy.
- 5Stop cooking when the tendli is just tender with a slight bite; overcooking makes it limp.
- 6If your tamarind paste is very strong, mix it with the water first for more even sourness.
- 7This dish reheats well; warm it uncovered in a pan to keep the dry texture intact.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-oil
Use a well-seasoned pan and reduce the oil slightly; the onions may take a little longer, but the dish still stays flavorful and dry.
spicierSpicier
Add an extra green chili or a little more red chili powder for a hotter everyday sukhem that pairs especially well with plain rice.
garlicGarlic
Add a few sliced garlic cloves after the mustard seeds splutter for a deeper, more savory home-style variation.
no coconutNo-coconut
Skip the fresh coconut for a lighter version; the tendli and onion flavors become more prominent and the dish keeps longer.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Vegetable-Forward Side
Ivy gourd makes this a produce-rich dish that adds fiber and bulk to a meal without relying on heavy gravy.
Moderate Fat Cooking
The recipe uses only a small amount of oil, with most of the body and flavor coming from onion, tendli, and coconut.
Digestive Flavorings
Curry leaves, mustard seeds, and tamarind bring aroma and brightness, helping the simple stir-fry taste lively and satisfying.
Frequently asked questions
It should be tender enough to bite through easily but still hold its shape. If it turns soft and collapses, it has cooked too far.



