Elavan Mathan Pachadi – Pumpkin and Melon Curry

Elavan Mathan Pachadi is again a simple and traditional Palakad dish which is generally served with rice and Milagootal. Winter Melon (ash gourd) and Pumpkin are known as “Elavan or Kumbalanga” and “Mathan or Mathanga” respectively in Malayalam.

This pachadi can also be served with any type of rice or roti. Both pumpkin and ash gourd are nutritious vegetables. So this is a perfect way to add these vegetables to your daily diet.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

No. of servings: 6

Spice level: 3 out of 6

Ingredients:

• Elavan (winter melon) – 1 cup
• Mathan or parangikkai – 1 cup
• Whole tamarind – small lemon size
• Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
• Shredded coconut – 1/4 cup
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Green chilies – 1
• Oil – 1 tsp
• Dried chili – 1
• A few curry leaves
• Salt to taste

Method of Preparation:

Add tamarind to a cup of hot water and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Cut pumpkin and winter melon into 1″ cubes. Boil tamarind water and add chopped vegetables with a pinch of turmeric powder and 1/4 tsp of salt. Cook until veggies become tender.

Grind coconut, green chilies and 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds with a little water and grind it to a fine paste. Add ground paste to cooked vegetables along with a little more salt. Mix well and cook over medium heat until it starts thickening. Remove from heat.

Heat a tsp of oil and add mustard seeds. When it splutters, add dried chilies and curry leaves. Add this to the cooked pachadi.