Vellarikka Pachadi (Cucucmber in Coconut Yogurt Gravy)

 

                                                "Pachadi" is a simple Kerala dish and an inevitable part of Kerala Sadya (feast) which  is made with a vegetable/fruit , curd and a thick coconut paste. Different vegetables or fruits can be used for making pachadi  like mango, pineapple, bitter gourd, lady's finger etc and depending on the vegetable/fruit  used the procedure and ingredients varies a bit. But the base recipe of any Pachadi almost the same. Vellarikka Pachadi  or Cucumber Pachadi is one such  simple  dish that can be made in no time. Cubed cucumber pieces are cooked with salt and water and a thick paste of coconut , green chilli, mustard seeds and ginger , green chilly and mustard seeds are added. The mixture is then allowed to cool and mixed with thick curd . Finally a tadka is made and poured over the curry.

Ingredients

1. Vellarikka/Dosekai - 1 cup (cubed)
2. Green Chilli - 1
3. Salt - To Taste
4. Water - 1/2 - 3/4 cup
5. Thick Curd - 1 cup

To grind to paste

1. Coconut - 1/2 cup
2. Ginger - 1/2 tsp
3. Green chilli -1
4. Salt - a pinch
5. Mustard seeds - 1tsp
6. Water - 3 tbsp

To Temper

• Mustard seeds -1/4 tsp
• Dried Red chilli -1
• Curry leaves

Method

1. In a pan cook vellarikka (dosekai) with salt, green chilli adding enough water.
2. Meanwhile grind ingredients given in "to grind" section to a smooth paste adding enough water.
3. When the cucumber is cooker and almost all the water has evaporated,  add the coconut paste and mix well in low flame.
4. Remove from fire and add thick curd once it has cooled a bit  and mix well.
5. In another heated pan add oil.Splutter ingredients given in the section "To temper".
6. Pour over the curry.
7. Serve hot with rice

Notes

• Use fresh cucumber for best results.
• Do not add curd to hot cucumber coconut mixture as it will make the curry go turbid.

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Cheers,

Asha