Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala by all means stands for dressing up, portioning joy and feasting all together. That is return of the mythological king Mahabali and the day is celebrated with traditional feast sadya which reflects the culinary traditions of the state of Kerala. In amongst the myriad of dishes that accompany the Sadhya, Mango Pulissery has a more special place. This is a dish which is sweet and sour at the same time and an inherent part of the Onasadya of Kerala. This recipe shared on the Kalavara Youtube Channel, shows off the classic example of Malayalam cooking recipes capturing the essence of traditional cooking. In this blog, we will be uncovering the importance, origin, procedure and essence of Mango Pulissery that would make it all the more appropriate during the Onam feast.
Historical Background
Mango Pulissery also called Pulissery or Pulisseri is an emission of Keralite non hungry. It can thus be seen that it was based on the early cooking styles that were common to the area’s people, in which fruits such as mangoes, coconuts and yogurt formed an essential part of the diet. The dish has changed its form with years, for the reasons of some recipes’ shifts according to the tendencies of the time or the raw materials that were available. But as a specialty of the district, Mango Pulissery still remains a part of the Onam Sadya feast, and reminisces the best of Kerala Recipes Malayalam.
Ingredients and Preparation
To prepare Mango Pulissery, you will need a few key ingredients that are staples in Kerala cuisine. Here is a list of ingredients and a step-by-step guide to making this delightful dish:
- Mangoes: 7 small ripe mangoes (peeled)
- Curd: ½ cup thick curd (whisked without adding water)
- Green Chilies: 3 (mildly spicy, slit in the middle)
- For Tempering:
- Coconut oil: 2 tbsp
- Mustard seeds: ½ tbsp
- Dry red chilies: 4-5
- Shallots: 5 (sliced thinly)
- Curry leaves: A few
- For the Paste:
- Grated coconut: 1 cup
- Shallots: 3-4
- Black pepper: ¼ tsp
- Cumin seeds: ½ tsp
- Other Ingredients:
- Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
- Kashmiri chili powder: ½ tsp
- Salt: To taste
- Sugar: 1 tbsp (adjust to taste)
- Fenugreek powder: A pinch (optional, can use whole fenugreek during tempering)
Preparation:
Prepare Mangoes:
- Peel the 7 small ripe mangoes. Set aside.
Prepare the Paste:
- In a blender, combine 1 cup of grated coconut, 3-4 shallots, ¼ tsp of black pepper, and ½ tsp of cumin seeds. Add a little water and grind to a smooth paste. Set aside.
Cook Mangoes:
- In a saucepan, add the mangoes. Add 3 slit green chilies, ½ tsp of turmeric powder, and ½ tsp of Kashmiri chili powder. Pour in enough water to cover the mangoes.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and let it cook until the mangoes are tender and the water level reduces by half. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Add salt to taste.
Add the Paste:
- Once the mangoes are cooked, lower the flame and add the prepared coconut paste. Mix well.
- Add a tablespoon of sugar. Stir and let it cook on low flame for 3-4 minutes to allow the raw smell of the paste to dissipate.
Add Curd:
- Switch off the stove and add the whisked curd to the mango mixture. Stir gently without touching the mangoes.
- Turn the stove back on and heat the mixture on low flame, ensuring it does not boil. Heat until it is just warm and the curd is incorporated well. Switch off the stove as soon as it starts to bubble.
Prepare the Tempering:
- Heat 2 tbsp of coconut oil in a small pan. Add ½ tbsp of mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add the sliced shallots, dry red chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté until the shallots turn brown.
- Optionally, add a little Kashmiri chili powder for extra color.
Combine:
- Pour the tempering over the Mango Pulissery and mix well. Add a pinch of fenugreek powder if desired for extra flavor.
Final Touches:
- Ensure the Mango Pulissery is well combined and check the seasoning. Serve warm as part of your Onam Sadya.
Tips: Choose ripe and sweet mangoes for the best flavor. Adjust the spice levels according to your preference, and ensure the yogurt is fresh to avoid curdling.
Nutritional Benefits
The mango pulissery can be enjoyed not only as a tasty dish but also as nourishing meal as well. Here are some of the nutritional benefits of the key ingredients:Here are some of the nutritional benefits of the key ingredients:
- Mangoes: Mangoes contain vitamin A and vitamin C and are rich in antioxidants and are a good source of fiber and essential minerals. They help in breaking down of foods and also help in enhancing the individual’s immunity against diseases.
- Yogurt: The product is known to contain a host of nutrients such as the probiotics, which are vital for the health of the gut, digestion and the immune system. It also gives a good measure of calcium and protein respectively. Hence it is most suitable for those who would wish to build muscles by undertaking intensive exercises.
- Coconut: Coconut is a healthy fat, which is well saturated with medium-chain triglycerides and helps in supply of energy. It also enhances the thickness of the dish thus making it creamy.
Cultural Importance
It may be noted that Mango Pulissery enjoy a unique culinary niche in the state of Kerala especially during the Onam celebrations. It symbolizes the finale of the festival and the organizing feast known as Sadya in which a host of dishes reflecting the culinary heritage of the Kerala State are included. This dish is usually prepared with lots of love and that is why it has a lot of culture to do with dish preparation from one generation to another. The Mango Pulissery, in most of the families has become over the years, not just an eatable dish, but also a memory, a link with the traditions of the festivity, memories of joint families sitting around a table, enjoying their meal, and of course the memories of the godown of Kappa vita heritage of Kerala.
Variations of Mango Pulissery
While the traditional Mango Pulissery recipe is beloved, there are several variations that you can explore to add a unique twist to this classic dish:While the traditional Mango Pulissery recipe is beloved, there are several variations that you can explore to add a unique twist to this classic dish:
- Different Types of Mangoes: Choose different varieties of the fruit which are suitable for changing the taste and aura of a dish. It is the same way that some may like oranges with a little taste of sour while other enjoy the natural sugars of the oranges when ripe.
- Adjusting Spice Levels: For varying taste, one can add more or less green chilies depending on their Spicy taste preference. You can mix other spices for example instead of chili peppers one can use black pepper to get that different feel of spiciness.
- Incorporating Other Fruits: The current generation modern chefs are even using some elements of new age continental cuisine by tossing fruits like those available in the current season or even vegetables in Mango Pulissery.
Serving Suggestions
It is suggested to eat Mango Pulissery as an accompaniment of an Onam Sadya feast. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, making it a perfect complement to other Sadya dishes such as:It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, making it a perfect complement to other Sadya dishes such as:
- Avial: It is a curry dish made from vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans and squash cooked with coconut milk and yogurt.
- Sambar: A colourful lentil based vegetable preparation which has heat and a spicy touch to it.
- Pachadi: A side dish which can include soup vegetables and fruits prepared by using yogurt.
Even for a complete Sadya, use banana leaves to serve the food and should also be arranged in a traditional style. Due to the aesthetic appearance and a rich choice of tastes, they help to have a good time while eating.
Personal Story/Experience
Being born and brought up in a more traditional Kerala home the festival of Onam was always a time when families would meet to celebrate and feast. One of these dishes that instantly reminds me of my grandmother is Mango Pulissery which was specifically served during the Sadya. Her secret was in choosing the freshest mangoes and then spending time and effort in preparing that dish. She offered tremendous pride in every piece to savagely capture her cooking proficiency and the colors of Kerala. Preparation of Mango Pulissery is one of those traditions in my own home which is fascinating and effective in order to celebrate the Onam with family.
Conclusion
While planning for Onam, you may want to include Mango Pulissery right on the Sadya table as one of the specialties. This is one traditional dish of Kerala whose sweet and tangy taste brings festive taste to your meal and connects you with the best culinary of the Kerala. It not only must be understood as a responsibility to continue the tradition of the Old Keralite households and savoring our grannies’ recipes but also be a pleasure to enjoy the varied Onam Sadhya menu starting with the Mango Pulissery.
If you want to prepare a wonderful dish for your Onam celebrations, don’t hesitate and cook Mango Pulissery; this is a Nadan cooking Malayalam dish that will bring incredible pleasure. May it be a reminder of the importance of retaining the traditions in cooking and sharing simplicity of Kerala cuisine with the bonds of affection. If you like to view more authentic Kerala dishes ideal to be part of your Onam Sadhya, follow us on our best cooking channel for more such Kerala style cooking recipes.
