Onam / Kerala Sadhya Recipe - Vellarika Pachadi/Cucumber Raita Recipe

Vellarika or White melon is typical South Indian juicy vegetable which is used for making curries and Kani Vellari(small yellow coloured melon)mainly used for Vishu Kani in Kerala.So folks,Onam is right around the corner and i'm planning to give you Onam Sadhya(Great Feast) recipes in the coming days.Today im updating you with a delicious traditional yogurt - coconut curry called Pachadi.....

In my school days, i was little confused with this curry..For Onam or for any Sadhya if some one is serving this Pachadi or Kichadi..i don't know what exactly it is..I simply mixed everything and eat.But now i found out,What exactly it is and the difference...Off course source is my mother and internet...Difference is Pachadi is a Yogurt - Coconut mixture curry where as in Kichadi,we are adding only yogurt to the fried vegetables.Also in Kichadi Mustard is used for seasoning only.But in Pachadi,mustard is grinded with chilly,ginger and coconut along with seasoning.Here I used Small white cucumber.You can also try Kumbalanga(Ash gourd)Green or Yellow Zucchini which is available in our local American  stores..Since cucumber or Ash gourd is only available in Indian grocery stores seasonally.

Vellarida Pachadi is a cooling dish for sadhya with sweet n sour taste of yogurt and coconut.It can also be used as a Raita item for normal days lunch.Lets see the ingredients and cooking methods.

Ingredients Used

1.Small White Melon -1
2.Grated Coconut - 1 cup
3.Plain Yogurt/home made Curd - 1 cup
4.Crushed Mustard - 1/4 tsp
5.Ginger- a small piece
6.Green Chillies - 1-2
7.Water - 1/4 cup

For Seasoning

8.Oil - 3 Tb sp
9.Mustard - 1/2 tsp
10.Dry red Chilly/Pepper - 1-2
11.Curry Leaves - a few


Method
1.Wash and clean melon and cut into small cubes/pieces.Melon after cooking the quantity will be reduced.
2.Cook these melon with little water and with a lid.(1/4 cup).Don't add more water,since water will ooze out from melon itself.
3.Grind 1 cup coconut with small piece ginger(optional)+2 green chillies. Make a smooth paste with little water.If you like,you can add some cumin seeds while grinding.In that case ,avoid mustard.(This is my opinion,rest is your wish).Add this smooth paste to melon and cook for 1 boil(1 Thila) and switch off the flame.
4.Take 1 cup yogurt and mix it well with a fork.
5.Since we are adding yogurt,for avoiding the splitting of curd in curry allow the cooked vegetable  and coconut mixture to cool for 5- 10 minutes.
6.After cooling add the curd/yogurt to the curry and combine it well.
7.Seasoned this cool melon raita/ Vellarika pachadi with splattered mustard,dry red chilly and curry leaves.
8.Serve with Kerala rice for sadhya or we can use for normal days lunch instead of moru curry/Curd.



Hope you all like this method especially kids love this because  its not spicy. Please try this Onam special Vellarika Pachadi for your Sadhya and leave me your valuable comments.

See you soon with another Onam Recipe..

Until then bye
Kottayam Kitchen

:-):-)