Koorka Thoran/Chinese Potato Stir Fry

Few days back my Hubby when returning from his office came home holding 2-3 covers.One of his colleagues had come from India,Kerala and gave some sweets,homemade pickles and one cover had these hairy root veggie...Koorka/Chinese Potato.In India I used to see these only in the town part groceries but have heard its a very common veggie in other parts of Kerala.No one from our family is into cooking this vegetable,so far I haven't heard anyone say about this either from my family members or my Hubby's side.

Wherever I have read about Koorka there was always a mentioning about the mess cleaning it.So at the first sight of these I was like"uf".Next day I was not in a mood to cook this but in the evening when  I went to see my neighbour,her parents had come on a visit to Doha,so in between some talk I mentioned about this vegetable...oh there she goes, she was like non-stop telling me how much she loved this etc..hehe and she was the one who told me about the soaking part before cleaning,which made my work a lot more easier.Coming on to the recipe:
Ingredients 
Koorka/Chinese Potatoes         500 gm(before cleaning) 
Shallots sliced                   1 cup
Coconut grated                  3/4 cup
Red chilly powder             3/4 tsp
Garlic flakes                      4-5 
Turmeric powder         1/4 tsp
Garam Masala              1/4 tsp
Salt                          as needed
Mustard seeds         1/4 tsp
Dry red chilly          1
Curry leaves        a few
Oil                 3 tsp

Method
For Cleaning
-Soak the Koorka/Chinese Potato for 15 to 30 minutes.Wash well under the running water to get rid of the mud.Peel the skin using a knife.Now again wash well under running water and then cut into small pieces.You will get approx.3 cups of chopped Koorka.
Cooking Method
-In a sauce pan add the Koorka pieces,salt ,turmeric powder and enough water (just above the pieces).Cook till tender(Take care not to over cook).Drain and keep this aside.
-Coarsely grind the coconut,chilly powder and the garlic without adding water and keep this aside.
-Now heat a pan,add oil and splutter the mustard seeds.Then add in the dry red chilly and the curry leaves.
-Add in the chopped shallots and saute till translucent.Now add the coconut mixture and saute for 2-3 minutes,add salt, 2 tbsp of water and the cooked Koorka.
-Add garam masala and saute for another 2-3 minutes for every thing to get mixed properly.Keep covered and off the flame.After sometime serve as a side with Rice.