Kumbalanga Pachadi (Kichadi) / Winter melon Side dish

                       "HAPPY VISHU TO ALL "

Vishu & Onam are two occassions in Kerala where you find the traditional vegetarian sadya dishes.Though we don't celebrate Vishu at home but sadya dishes are always inviting ones.Vishu is a festival of feasting,wearing new clothes,setting off fire crackers and elders gift money to kids,servants and other tenants known as Vishu kaineetam.The other important part of Vishu is the Vishu kanni(the first thing seen on the day after waking up)The usual ritual is the arrangement with the raw rice,vegetables,fresh fruits,flowers mainly konna, mirror,ritual book,coins and pooja lamps.I have done the arrangements of Vishukanni with my friends who celebrated Vishu during hostel days..Anyways,coming back to Today's recipe is a simple pachadi/kichadi with winter melon.This is an important side dish of sadya and so sharing with all !!

Ingredients
winter melon 1 cup chopped small
yogurt thick 1 cup
green chilli 2 vertical slit(optional)
salt
to grind
coconut 1/2 cup grated
ginger 1/2'' piece
green chillies 3
cumin 1/2 tsp
mustard 1/2 tsp
to temper 
mustard seeds 1tsp
dry red chillies 2
curry leaves
oil 3tsp

Method
-Peel and wash the winter melon.Chop it small or into small cubes (I like very small bits like in raitha)
-Grind the coconut,green chillies,ginger and mustard seeds to a fine paste.
-Cook the melon with green chillies(vertical slit)little salt and water in a wok.(It takes approx 10 minutes)Turn off flame and let it cool.
-Add the ground paste to it and put on low flame.
-In the mean time,whisk the yogurt with the whisker just once or twice (it shouldn't go watery)
-Add this to the melon cooked on low flame and just heat it.Put off flame and remove.
-Heat oil in a non stick pan and splutter mustard seeds,followed by red chillies,curry leaves.
-Add this to the pachadi and mix.Serve as a side dish with rice.

Servings~ 1 bowl

Sending this toThe Kerala Kitchen , WTML festive or function,Vegetarian Side dishes, Show case Lunch Box

You can check out other related recipes with Vishu feast dishes /Sadya dishes from my space -

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Inji curry /Ginger Chutney

Carrot Thoran /Stir Fry