Olan

    Olan is yet another inevitable dish of a Kerala sadya. Olan might be the only vegetarian dish prepared without adding any spice powders. Its coconut milk and green chilly that imparts a unique taste, aroma and flavor to an olan. Some other vegetables like pumpkin and long runner beans/achinga payar can also be used in an olan but winter melon is most commonly used. Here goes the recipe:

 

Ingredients

1. Winter melon/ kumbalanga/ ash gourd - 250gm, skin removed and cubed
2. Red chori/ van payar/ red gram - 1/4 cup
3. Green chillies - 2-3, slit
4. Semi-thick coconut milk (randam pal) - 1 cup
5. Thick coconut milk (onnam pal) -  1/4 cup
6. Curry leaves - 1 - 2 sprigs
7. Salt - to taste
8. Coconut oil - 2 tsp

Method

 

1. Cook the red chori/ van payar in a pressure cooker adding enough water, salt and keep aside. Be sure to add more water since the van payar will double in size. It usually takes around 3-5 whistles depending on the type of pressure cooker that we use. Cut the winter melon into cubes. The winter melon available in USA will take more time to cook, so cut them into smaller cubes.

2. Cook the winter melon and green chillies adding enough water (around 1/4 - 1/2 cup) and salt.

3. When the winter melon cubes are just cooked(make sure they are not over-cooked, they should hold their shape), add the cooked van payar and thin coconut milk. Bring to a boil and adjust the gravy according to your consistency. It should not be watery. Now add the thick coconut milk, curry leaves, coconut oil and remove from heat. Mix well and serve hot with rice.