Virvil Bhaji (Long Beans)

I took my mother grocery shopping a few days ago and I saw her pick up these odd beans that are sold in Canada as Chinese Long Beans.  With fascination I embarked on 100 questions related to this produce.  I quickly learned that these beans are native to Goa and are called Virvil in her village home in Uccassaim, Bardez.  She told me that her favorite way to eat these beans were in a  a simple dish cooked with onions and coconut, and known as bhaji .
Catholic Goans rarely serve raw vegetables but cook them in simple preparations to accompany the spicy meat or fish main courses. The main ingredients of a bhaji being coconut oil, onions and grated coconut.

Learn more about these Goan Long beans at
  http://www.befitgoa.com/goas-bountyyard-long-beans-vigna-unguiculata-sesquipedalis/#.Vkujfr-nzpI

Ingredients 

Virvil ( Chinese Long Beans) cut in 1-2 centimeter pieces
1 teaspoon Coconut oil or olive oil
1 large onion diced
1 tablespoon grated coconut

Method

Heat the oil in a pan.  Add the onion and cook till translucent.

 Add the vegetables and stir with a little salt. Cover the pan and cook till the beans are cooked but not soft.

Add the coconut and stir.  Add a tablespoon of water, cover a few more minutes and let the coconut heat through. Serve.