Mambazha pulissery (Sweet Mango curry) - Kerala style

Jayasri Ravi — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 03:30:59 +0000

India is a country with a vast cultural ambiguity. Each state / Religion / Sects and sub-sects enjoy different festivities. Each state celebrates Harvest festival, in different months. Keralites from Kerala from the south of India, also known as God's own country because of its natural beauty and famous for its backwaters and the lush greenery.

Onam is the biggest festival in Kerala, It is also called the state festival of Kerala. Festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sep). Onam is celebrated marking the commemoration of home-coming of their King Mahabali. This Harvest festival in Kerala is celebrated by one and all of 10 days irrespective of religion, caste, and creed. It is said that King Mahabali's rule, was a golden era in Kerala. It is in honour of this King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. Thiruonam day is the most important day of the 10 day Onam festival it is the of Sri Padmanabha Swamy, presiding deity of Thiruvananthapuram. It is on the Thiruonam day King Mahabali was sent to Paathalam (nether world) by Vamana (avatar of Mahavishnu),

The story goes likes this - King Mahabali was the descendant of Hiranyakashyap, father of Prahalad. Mahabali was the Asura (demon) king . The king of greatly respected in his kingdom for his bravery, virtues, strength, intelligence, and his extreme generosity. During his reign, his subjects were very happy and content there was no crime, corruption, poverty and sorrow. Mahabali's growing popularity and fame made the suras (Gods) jealous and were concerned, they were threatened as usual, about their own supremacy in front of the Asuras. As the Gods knew about Mahabali's generosity, he would not say no to anybody if they approached him with a request. Keeping this as their strategic point they made Lord Vishnu disguise himself as a dwarf and a poor brahmin called Vamana.

Vamana was sent to Mahabali, right after him offering prayers to his favourite deity Mahavishnu. When he would do charity work, when it was Vamana's turn, Bali asked him what he wanted he innocently said he needed land. Mahabali was ready to give as much land as he wanted, but Vamana said that he wanted a piece of land, which would cover keep his three steps. Mahabali was surprised but his court advisor Guru Shukracharya sensed Vamana was not an ordinary Brahmin and warned the King. But, the king would not go back on his words took his Kamandalam to grant the wishes of the Brahmin. Guru Shukracharya disguises himself and blocks the nozzle where the water comes out, Vamana knowing about it pokes the hole that was Shukracharya looses his one eye. As the wish was granted Vamana puts his one foot on the earth, his little feet covers the whole earth!! next foot he puts his foot on the Universe and covers the whole of Universe. Vamana asks Mahabali where to put his third foot, by then Mahabali, had come to know that Vamana was not an ordinary person. He asks Vamana to put his third foot on his head, Vamana puts his foot on Mahabali's head and pushes him down to paathala(netherworld), where he shows himself as Lord Vishnu and blesses him with a boon. King Mahabali requests Mahavishnu to give him permission to visit his subjects once every year to see them if they were happy and content. It is this day Keralites welcome their king who sacrificed his life, Every year people make elaborate preparations as a tribute their king with all the pompous and celebration. They wish to please the spirit of their King by depicting that his people are happy and wish him well, it is on the second day the King said to visit the earth. A Lovely story isn't it ?

Hmm..., Did you know something else as well, It is said that the laying of the Pookolam (an arrangement of flowers, A special kolam design made with flowers during Onam festival which is arranged in front of the house or in the hallway), is arranged starting from the first day of Onam until the 10th day of the celebration.

Onam is also celebrated with different activities in the state and of course, no Indian festival is celebrated without an elaborate feast. Onam Sadya is what it is called during Thiruvonam festival served on a plantain leaf. It is said around 30 varieties of food is prepared. Onam Sadya includes - Thoran, Mezhukkupuratti, Kaalan, Olan, Aviyal, Sambar, Parippu curry, Pappadam, Sharkaravaratti, Banana chips, Erisheri, Rasam, Pulissery, Moru curry, pickles, Theeyal, Kootu curry, Pacchadi, Buttermilk, Chammanthi, and payasam.

I will post the recipes in the coming days, but I would love to share one of my favourite Pulissery or Pulisheri which can be made with different fruits and veggies, here I am sharing with Mango.

MAMBAZHA PULISSERY / PULISHERI (SWEET MANGO CURRY)

Recipe Type: Main Meals
Author : Jayasri
Cuisine : Indian (Kerala)
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Shelf life: one day

INGREDIENTS:
1 sweet Mango
1 tbsp Jaggery
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 sprig curry leaves
2 dried red chillies
A pinch of hing
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
Salt as required
2 cups of water

Grind to paste:
1/3 cup fresh coconut
2 to 3 green chillies
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp mustard powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder

METHOD:

Wash and chop the Mango into cubes (slightly bigger in size) leaving the seed. In a pan heat oil and add mustard seed, once it splutters add curry leaves and dried red chillies once they are done add the chopped Mangoes and a cup of water and then allow it to cook, in a medium flame.
Meanwhile take all the ingredients under Grind to paste in a blender to make into a smooth paste using 1/4 cup of water.
By that time the Mangoes would have cooked, as it doesn't take a long time to cook. Add this paste to the pan mix well and add the remaining water. Add salt and jaggery and allow it to cook for few more minutes until well blended.
Pour the contents of the curry into a serving bowl and serve immediately.

Notes:

This curry can be made with cooking the mangoes first and then adding the seasoning in the end as well.
You can add onion and garlic with the seasonings if you want, but i like it without onion and garlic.

Enjoy!!!