Olan (Vishu Special)
A family recipe since April 2008
A gentle Kerala curry of cowpeas and winter melon simmered in coconut milk, Olan is fragrant, lightly spiced, and perfect as a cooling side for a festive meal or everyday rice.
Ingredients
- Cow peas (vanpayar) - 100 g
- Winter melon (kumbhalanga) - 200 g
- Green chilli - 2 whole
- Coconut milk - 1/4 cup
- Curry leaves
- Salt
- Coconut oil
Instructions
- 1Soak the cow peas (vanpayar) overnight in plenty of water to soften them and reduce the cooking time.
- 2Peel the winter melon and cut it into medium pieces so they cook evenly.
- 3Drain the soaked peas and pressure cook them with a pinch of salt until they are soft.
- 4Add the winter melon pieces and slit green chillies to the cooked peas and continue cooking until the melon is tender.
- 5Pour in the coconut milk and bring the curry to a gentle boil on low flame for 2-3 minutes, watching so it does not curdle.
- 6Remove the pot from the heat, stir in a little coconut oil, and garnish with curry leaves before serving.
- 7Optional: Serve warm as part of a rice meal; it pairs especially well with steamed rice.
More Prep Pics
Comments (10)
- ArundathiApril 14, 2008
Thanks a lot. I got a lot of recipes and have made most of the sadhya food, but had no idea how to make the kootu curry! thanks so much!
- susmaApril 14, 2008
hi these recipes are new to me.. Happy Vishu
- Happy CookApril 14, 2008
Happy Vishu to you and your family.
- mallugirlApril 14, 2008
vishu aasamsakal :) didn't realize u were back in the kitchen.:) so lots of eating and cooking on now? will try ur kootu curry soon. my mom makes this with chickpeas.
- Daily MealsApril 14, 2008
Happy Vishu Prajusha! Nice recipes.
- SeenaApril 15, 2008
Praju, sadya adichupolichalle..We bought parcels.. :D
- ChamApril 15, 2008
The koottu curry looks awesome. Happy Vishu to u and loved ones .
- KaykatApril 15, 2008
This koottu curry sounds delicious - I've never used kadalai with yams and plantains.
- saswatiApril 15, 2008
a happy Vishu to you Prajusha...alittle late though.....gr8 curry and anew recipe to me:)
- ShriSeptember 6, 2011
We make a koottu similar to this but do not use ginger. It is interesting to know the variations, all of them delicious!