MERRY TURKEY BERRY
If you have been wondering “what is Turkey Berry?” then it’s time to know about it. Turkey Berry is the English name of Sundakkai (in tamil). It is called as Kundene Kayi(in kannada), Katai(in Hindi), Chundanga(in Malayalam),Usthikaya(in telugu).
WHERE IT GROWS?
Turkey Berry also known as pea eggplant and wild eggplant grows best in sunny, temperate regions. The plant is easy to grow, so they can be found all over the world in Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands.
NUTRIENTS
· Sundakkai are rich in fibre, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus.
· They have antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
· It is low in carbs and fat, so it’s great to add it in weight loss diets.
· The minerals, sodium and potassium are also present in turkey berries to regulate the electrolyte balance in the body.
AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURKEY BERRY
PROVIDES ENORMOUS IRON
Turkey berry is enriched with iron which helps to treat anaemia by increasing the red blood cell production.
PROMOTES PROPER DIGESTION
The great fibre content in turkey berry helps to promote smooth digestion, aids in stomach ulcer, helps in weight loss and maintains normal appetite.
PROTECTS FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Turkey berry have antioxidants like flavonoids, tannins, saponins, etc which helps to prevent from strokes and cardiovascular diseases.
REGULATES DIABETES
Both turkey leaves and turkey berries have the properties that helps to control the blood sugar level. Regular consumption can help to reduce the diabetes.
REGULATES KIDNEY FUNCTION
Turkey berries helps great in the treatment of kidney stones, detoxifying the kidneys, smooth functioning of bladder and promotes renal health.
REGULATES HORMONAL IMBALANCE
The steroid sapogenin present in turkey berries control hormonal imbalance, regulates metabolic activity in the body and regulates menstrual cycles in women.
STRONGER IMMUNITY
The bitterness of the turkey berry helps to purify the blood and promotes immunity power in the body if consumed regularly. The Vitamin C, the important nutrient for immunity in turkey berries safe guard as a shield from ailments like allergies, hypertension and seasonal flu infections.
GOOD FOR EYESIGHT AND SKIN
The turkey berries are enriched with vitamin A and carotenoids which help to improve eyesight and promotes good skin texture.
GOOD FOR BONES
The calcium content in the turkey berries strengthen the bones and promote bone health
USAGE OF TURKEY BERRY
Turkey berries are used in Indian kitchen in the following ways
· Dried turkey berries vathal
The turkey berries are sun dried with thick buttermilk and salt for several days to prepare sun dried brownish vathal. Just fry it in oil and take it along with you rice and curry.We can also use it for making vathal kuzhambu.
· Turkey berry/sundakkai Poriyal
Turkey berry poriyal is made with cut and cooked turkey berries, onions, tomatoes, chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, grinded coconut and salt. It is tastes great with curd rice or chappathi.
· Turkey berry Kuzhambu
The tasty sundakkai kuzhambu is made with cut and cooked sundakkai with onion tomato paste, garlic, tamarind water, sambhar powder, cumin seed powder, coriander powder, chilli powder, salt and grinded coconut. It goes well with rice.
· Turkey berry Sambhar
The healthy protein rich delicious turkey berry sambhar is prepared with cooked tender turkey berries with toor dhal, sambhar powder, turmeric powder, onion, tomato, tamarind juice, cumin and mustard seeds. It is a good side dish for rice.
TAKE AWAY
Although turkey berries are a bit bitter in taste, it has amazing health benefits. Enjoy the healthy sundakkai in your weekly diet by tasting it in a variety of ways. Taking turkey berry during pregnancy is highly nutritious to women.