Avial

Avial is a mandatory dish for any sadya (festival or wedding meal) in Kerala. The version of Avial made in Kerala tastes slightly different from the ones made in Tamil Nadu. We have a constant arguement (fun one) in our house. I (being from Kerala) tell my husband that what is made in Tamil Nadu is not avial at all. As you can assume my husband does not agree. I do not know how to make the Tamil version of it (though there are only some subtle differences between the two). Luckily for me my husband likes the Kerala version also.

Avial is a medley of Vegetables. The word has even become synonymous to medley of unrelated stuff. We say you have made an 'Avail' of those things :-)

Lot of vegetables go in the making of Avial. The more the better. Ideally the vegetables that go in it are Potatoes, Plantain (Vazhakka), Elephant Yam (Chena), Cucumber, Snake gourd, Carrot, Beans or Avarakka, Jack fruit seed, Drumstick, green peas, raw mango. I did not have all of these. So I used what I could manage. You can use whatever is available.




Ingredients

Potato 1
Carrot 1
Beans 10-15
Peas 1/4 cup
Vazhakka 1
Raw Mango 1 very small

For Grating

Coconut 1/2 cup
Curry Leaves few
Green Chilli 2
Cumin/Jeera 1 tsp
Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Garlic 1 pod

Salt to taste.
Coconut oil a little for dressing (optional)

Method of Preparation

1. Grind all the ingredients under 'for grating' into a fine paste adding enough water.

2. Cut all the vegetables above into long 2 inch pieces.

3. Add the vegetables to a pot and add just some water. Cook till it is almost cooked.

4. If there is too much water drain it. Otherwise, add the paste and some salt. If needed add a little more water.

5. Cook till the raw smell of the paste is gone and the vegetables are well cooked.

You can add a little coconut oil at the end. It add a nice taste to it. Of course, it depends on the person. Some people just hate the taste of coconut oil and some ppl just love it.

Mayil (Peacock) - My dad gave me this peacock set when I was in India last month... It has been in my house for a long long time. It brings memories of my childhood. I have carried a part of that memory to this foreign land.




Linking this to Kerala Kitchen Event hosted by Ramya

Linking this to WTML - Festive Recipes hosted by Rasi

Linking this to Vegetarian Side Dishes Priya's event hosted by Vardhini