Traditional Onam Delicacies: Avial

Have used the traditional method  in this recipe; potatoes and tomatoes are not used in this recipe. The other traditional vegetable, Elephant Yams, is available only in frozen 'cubes', hence not used.  Did not get fresh Indian long beans, which are also traditionally used alongwith Ivy gourds/ Kovakka, a small amount of Bitter Gourds/ Kayapakka.

Ingredients
All vegetables are cut the same length

1 Cup, Carrots cut into 1 1/2 inch long sticks

1 Cup Winter Melon

1 cup Yellow Pumpkin

1 Cup Raw Plantains

1 Cup Drumsticks [frozen used here]

2 hot green chillies, slit

1 stem Curry leaves

1 Cup sour buttermilk

Coconut Oil

1 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder

Salt
1 cube Indian Jaggery [ optional]

For the coarsely ground paste

1/2 Cup Coconut, grated

Method
Coarsely grind the coconut [ chathakyukka] and keep aside.
One can also use half of the sour buttermilk to grind the coconut paste
Cook the vegetable separately with just enough water, salt and turmeric powder: about 1/8th tsp for each vegetable
Drain and keep aside.
Heat a wide-mouthed vessel
Add the vegetables, the  ground paste and slit green chillies,
Shake the vessel to coat the pices evenly
Or turn gently with a ladle,
Add 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder and 1/2 Cup of buttermilk
Bring to a gentle simmer
Drizzle with coconut oil and fresh curry leaves.
Take off the heat and serve.

Traditional Valluvanad Moru Curry

Lunch: Rice, Mango Pickle in Brine, Moru Curry, Chena Payaru Upperi, Leftover Avial Curry

Moru Curry: Ash Gourd/Winter Melon cubes in a coconut yogurt cummin base.

Chena Payaru Upperi: Elephant Yams and Chinese Long Beans

Avial Curry: Mixed Vegetables in a Green Chilli, Coconut Yogurt base.

A traditonal combination with Moru Curry is this Chena Payaru Upperi, the other being the spicy Vazhuthinanga Upperi/ Spicy Eggplant. As always to complete the flavour combination,  Mulagu Manga or Mango Pickle in Brine.

The present greenish hued Moru curry was a surprise from the long green chillies. The flavours were traditional but the colours were a surprise! Had given a brief sketch in a previous post for Moru Kootan but not the precise measurements.

The Avial was made the traditional way but with a 'curry' consistency = neenda avial!...and available ingredients: Red and Yellow Bell Peppers, Green peas, Drumsticks, Butternut Squash, Carrots and Green Beans.

Moru Curry

Ingredients

2 Cups cubed skinned Winter Melon

2 green chillies [ option: one can use one finger hot chilli]

1/4 tsp Cummin seeds

1 Cup grated coconut

1 Cup sour buttermilk

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

I stem Curry leaves for garnish

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 dried red chilli

1/8 tsp crushed fenugreek seeds

1 tbsp Coconut Oil for tempering

Water

Method

Grind the coconut, 2 green chillies,  cummin seeds alongwith the sour buttermilk into a smooth paste,

Boil the cubed Winter Melon in just enough water, salt and 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder until done: cooked and still holding its shape/not mushy.

Turn the heat down and add the ground coconut  paste,

At this stage add water or more buttermilk according to your prefered consistency and the desired level of consistency.

Bring to a genlte simmer and take it off the heat immediately.

Tempering

Heat  1 tbsp of coconut oil,

Temper mustard seeds, broken red chilli and the curry leaves,

Add the pinch of crushed fenugreek seeds,

Immediately pour over the cooked curry.

Chena Payaru Upperi: Elephant Yams and Chinese Long Beans

Ingredients

1 Cup Cubed Elephant Yams

2 Cups Inch long pieces of Chinese Long Beans

1/4 cup finely chopped onions

3/4  tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp red chilli powder

1 stem curry leaves

Salt

Vegetable oil or Coconut Oil for lightly frying the yams

1 tbsp Coconut Oil for drizzling/garnish

Method

Heat about 1/2 cup of water  and cook the beans  uncovered adding turmeric powder and salt, until just about done,

At this point there should be little or just a couple of tbsps of water left. Keep aside.

Meanwhile heat the Vegetable oil  and  saute the onions until soft,

Add the cubed yams [ frozen variety used here]

Sprinkle 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder,  red chilli powder and salt to coat the pieces well.

Cook on medium high heat, stirring the pieces for about 4 minutes, 

Turn to medium low, cover and cook for another 4 minutes.

Add the beans and  the curry leaves,

Mix well and cook until done.

Drizzle with coconut oil and serve.