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Vellarikka pachadi
വെള്ളരിക്ക പച്ചടി (vellarikka pachadi): Kerala cucumber in yogurt with coconut and mustard seed
Vellarikka pachadi is one of the cooling yogurt dishes on the Kerala sadya, the banana-leaf feast served at Onam and weddings, and it turns up at everyday lunches across Thrissur and Kottayam too. Diced cucumber is softened briefly, then folded into thick yogurt with a paste of coconut, green chilli and crushed mustard seed, and finished with mustard seeds and curry leaves crackled in coconut oil. Coconut and curd carry the flavour, so it needs only a pinch of salt: about 0.25 g salt per portion. The usual mistake is adding the yogurt to hot cucumber, which splits it; let the cucumber cool first. Serve with rice and a dry vegetable thoran. Chef's tip: grind the coconut paste with a few raw mustard seeds; their gentle pungency is what makes a pachadi taste of Kerala.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 cucumberabout 300 g, seeded and finely diced
- ¼ cup water
- 1 pinch saltabout 1 g in total
- 1 ⅜ oz grated fresh coconut
- ¼ tsp mustard seeds
- 9 oz thick plain yogurtwhisked smooth
For the tempering
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 1 dried red chillibroken
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Method
0/5 doneStep 2: Grind 1 ⅜ oz grated fresh coconut, 1 green chilli and ¼ tsp mustard seeds with 2 tbsp water to a smooth paste.
2 minStep 3: Stir the coconut paste into the cooled cucumber, then fold in 9 oz thick plain yogurt.
1 minStep 4: Heat 2 tsp coconut oil in a small pan, add ½ tsp mustard seeds and when they pop add 1 dried red chilli and 8 curry leaves for 10 seconds, until crisp.
1 minStep 5: Pour the tempering over the pachadi, stir lightly and serve at room temperature.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does vellarikka pachadi take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of cucumber?
- Courgette, same weight (in salads, use young ones).
- What can I use instead of grated fresh coconut?
- Desiccated coconut soaked in hot water for 15 minutes, about three quarters of the weight.
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