Vegetarian Curry

Ingredients

• 5 -6 medium sized potatoes
• 3 large carrots
• 2 long Japanese eggplants
• 1 chayote (optional)
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 3 pieces red shallots
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 4 cardamom pods
• 3 tablespoons curry powder, mixed with water into a thick paste
• 1 (13 1/2 ounce) can coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon tamarind juice or 1 tablespoon lime juice
• salt