Cluster Beans With Yam

Cluster Beans, a very interesting vegetable when I did some research on them. They are known by various names in different states in India and surprisingly in many of them, they are an integral part of their meals. In Kerala, this is not the case and I see it on our table only when we have visitors like my aunt or sis from Tamil Nadu.


Cluster beans, known as Mattikaya in Telugu and Kothavarakkai in Tamil is popular in the north as Guar. In Malayalam, we just call it Kothavarakka, a slight variation in pronunciation from what its called in Tamil. I am a little confused about what Chitkaya/Chikkadikaya is? Is it another name for the vegetable in Telugu?

Anyway, I got a pack of it in the Indian store and immediately grabbed it, thinking I will try what my mom normally makes with it - an aviyal or a in a tangy gravy with ground coconut and tomatoes.

In the end, I ended up making a quick stir fry of it with elephant yam (chena). The combination turned out to be a winner and we loved it!

What I Used:

Serves 4

Cluster beans - 2 cups, cut into 1" pieces
Yam - 1 cup, cubed
Coconut - 4 tbsp, grated (optional)
Chopped garlic - 2 tsp
Shallots - 4
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
Jeera powder - 1/2 tsp
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Coconut oil - 2 tsp

How I Made It:

1. Cook the cluster beans and yam separately in water till they are tender. Cooking them together will make the yam bitter. The water used to cook the cluster beans should not be used since it will be bitter.

2. Heat oil in a pan and lightly fry the garlic and shallots. Then add the coriander, chilly and jeera powders and fry for another 30 seconds.

3. Mix in the coconut, yam and beans with some salt and leave it on sim for 4-5 minutes.

Serve hot with rice and gravy.

Related Posts:
Broad Beans with Lentils
Beans Carrot Thoran
Mochakottai Sundal
Beans Usili
Aviyal