CHENA THORAN/UPPERI - STIR-FRIED ELEPHANT YAM

     Recipes with Elephant Foot Yam or so-called Chena in Malayalam pops out only when I get hold of this vegetable.  We do not get Elephant Foot Yam in Malaysia, so a trip to Singapore is always incomplete without one or two big sized Yams from Little India.  It is my husband's favourite vegetable and until the stock gets over, I would repeatedly be making Chena Mezhukkupuratti or Chena Thoran/Upperi, or Chena Fry. I love to incorporate it into Avial, Koottukari, Kalan, Moru Curry etc., & etc.,
     This Chena Thoran/Upperi is a simple Kerala Style stir fry prepared with Chena/Elephant Yam usually seasoned with mild spices and condiments and finally topped up with few spoons of grated coconut. Thoran/Upperi is a predominant Sadhya Item served along with various other dishes in a Kerala Sadhya(Banquet). This quick & easy Chena/Elephant Yam Thoran can easily be squeezed into your Sadhya item.

Few other Thoran/Upperi which can be served in a Sadhya or a simple Lunch Menu:

• Cabbage Thoran
• Cabbage, Carrot & Beans Thoran
• Achinga Payar/Long Beans Thoran 
• Cheera/Spinach Thoran 
• Beetroot Thoran/Poriyal 
• Vendakka/Okra Thoran
• Pavakka/Bitter Gourd Thoran
• Cheru Payar Parippu/Yellow Moong Thoran
• Cheru Payar/Green Moong Thoran
• Kovakka/Ivy Gourd Thoran
• Padavalanga/Snake Gourd Thoran 
• Mathanga/Yellow Pumpkin Thoran 
• Vazhakoombu/Plantain Flower Thoran 
• Chena Thoran/Chena Upperi

           Thoran is a classical Kerala Style stir-fried vegetable which is a common style of preparation in Kerala Cuisine.  Some regions of Kerala call it 'Upperi'. It is one dish served in the long list of Sadhya (Banquet) item during Onam/Vishu. The authentic taste of Thorans comes from Coconut & Coconut Oil used in the recipe. Goes well with steamed rice or Kerala Rose Matta Rice.  Simply serve it with Moru Curry/Moru Kachiyathu/Pulissery or any other curry of your choice and Pappadam for a complete meal.

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Cuisine - Kerala (South India) 
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level - Moderate
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 5 -10 Minutes
Cooking Time - 10-15 Minutes


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HOW TO MAKE CHENA THORAN/UPPERI

KERALA STYLE ELEPHANT FOOT YAM STIR-FRY

 

INGREDIENTS :

Chena/Elephant Yam  - 2 Cups
Shallots - 4-5 Nos.
Garlic - 1-2 Cloves (Optional)
Green Chillies - 2 Nos.
Coconut - 2-3 Tbspn
Turmeric Powder - 1/8th Tspn
Salt - To Taste
Sugar - a Pinch

For Tempering :

Mustard Seeds - 1 Tspn
Bengal Gram/Urad Dhal - 1 Tspn(Optional)
Curry Leaves - 1 Sprig
Coconut Oil - 1 Tbspn.

METHOD :

• Clean, Peel & wash the Elephant Yam.
• Chop the Elephant Yam into small cubes and soak it in salted water for few minutes.
• Add chopped Elephant Yam/Chena along with Turmeric Powder, a dash of Salt & a pinch of Sugar.
• Pour in 1/2 Cup of Water and cook until the vegetable turns soft.
• Do not overcook, it shouldn't turn mushy.
• Meanwhile, finely chop Shallots, Green Chillies & Garlic.
• Heat Oil in a pan, splutter Mustard Seeds, Bengal Gram/Urad Dhal and Curry Leaves.
• Add finely chopped Shallots, Green Chillies, Garlic and saute until shallots turn translucent.
• Add the cooked Elephant Yam/Chena and give a quick stir.
• Add in grated Coconut and mix well.
• Cook for a while on a low flame.
• Switch off the flame and serve Elephant Yam/Chena Thoran/Upperi hot with steamed White Rice or Kerala Rose Matta Rice.
• Can be served along with any Curry fo your choice and Rice, it goes well as a side dish with Moru Curry/Moru Kachiyathu/Pulissery, Rasam etc.,
• Can serve this Chena Thoran/Upperi as one side dish in the long list of Sadhya Items.

NOTES :

• I have pre-cooked the Elephant Yams in a Sauce Pan before adding it along with the seasonings.
• Alternatively can pre-cook the vegetable in a Pressure Cooker for a whistle.
• Some do not add Onions & Garlic while cooking for a Sadhya.
• Adding Garlic is truly optional.
• I have used Coconut Oil in the recipe, can use any other vegetable oil.