There are many different varieties of yoghurt based dishes in Kerala like moru curry(seasoned with ginger and garlic) , pulliseri and kalan. Some varieties of pulliseri are made using fruits, namely mambazha pulliseri, pineapple pulliseri, ripe plantain/ethapazham pulliseri etc. Vegetables like winter melon/kumbalanga, vellarikka/yellow cucumber, raw banana/ethakka, tomato and elephant yam/chena are also used to prepare pulliseri. Out of all these varieties, mambazha pulliseri and kalan are my favourites. Kalan is a very popular traditional dish of Kerala and is another important dish of a Kerala sadya. Kalan has a much thicker consistency than pulliseri and uses pepper powder. There are two types of kalan namely rasa kalan prepared using a variety of vegetables like pumpkin, yam, raw banana, ash gourd, yellow cucumber, chembu, raw mango etc and kurukku kalan which has a semi-solid consistency, usually served in Trissur. In our place kalan for sadya is usually prepared with green plantains and elephant yam and has a medium consistency. Kalan prepared with sour yoghurt tastes the best. Here is the recipe:
Ingredients
1. Raw green plantain – 1/2 cup diced (Peel off its skin)
Elephant yam – 1/2 cup diced (You can use frozen yam)
Green chilies – 2 – 3, slit
Turmeric powder – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp (Optional)
Pepper powder – 3/4 tsp
Curry leaves – 1- 2 sprigs
Salt – To taste
2. Sour yoghurt – 2.5 cups
Grated coconut – 3/4 – 1 cup
Cumin seeds – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp
3. Uluva podi/ fenugreek powder – 1/4 tsp
4. Coconut oil – 2 – 3 tsp
Mustard seeds – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp
Dry red chilies – 2
Method
1. Cook the plantains and yam in sufficient water adding turmeric powder, chilly powder, pepper powder and salt at medium heat. Meanwhile grind the coconut and cumin seeds to a very fine paste.
2. When the water is almost evaporated and the vegetables are cooked, mash them slightly and add the ground coconut paste. Cook for a few minutes until its raw taste is gone. Bring down the heat and add the beaten yoghurt. Keep stirring, after you add yoghurt, otherwise it will curdle. Sprinkle fenugreek powder and check for salt. Heat through and switch off.
3. In another pan heat some coconut oil, splutter mustards, brown the dry red chilies, add a few curry leaves and pour this seasoning over the kalan. Cover with a lid for 15 minutes. Mix well. Serve hot with plain rice and other side-dishes.
yummy looking kalan…Vishu special?
all i need is rice with this an im good to go:)
Looks yummy I love yoghurt based curries.
Wow.. curry looks ultra yumm and comforting. Congarst on your award.
That looks delicious, yet to try kerala dishes but love all of them,….and congrats on your award ..
Congrats on all ur awards dear and curry looks colourful n delicious..
curry is tempting sweet heart …
Congrats dears on all the well deserved awards….
One of us is a die hard fan of Kalan…
We wish you both and your family a HAPPY VISHU..
Love
Kairali sisters
Congratulations on all ur well deserved awards dear 🙂
Curry looks delicious!!!!
Congrats on all yours awards dears…thank you so much for passing it to me 🙂 Olan looks so good…very rich and lovely clicks 🙂
Awards.. Awards…Awards!!! Keep going girls!!! And thanks for the Yummy O Yummy Kaalan. 🙂
Congrats dear on ur lovely awards….wish u may have more….the kalan looks very tasty….thanks more sharing these awesome keralian dishes…..
Congarts on awards dear…Keep on rocking !
Kalan looks delicious..
sadya orukkangal okke evide vare aayi? kalan is my fav too
it’s a great blog anfd all the traditional recipes i checked out are just wonderful..
Congrats on your awards!! Kalan is our all-time favourite dish. Thanks for sharing the recipe…
This is really yummy, love to way you prepare it. Congrats on your awards and thanks for sharing with me, will post it soon…
Congrats and thanx for passing to me.
This is new dish to me,loved the ingredients:)
Congrats on your well deserved awards!
Congrats on our awards and thanks very much for passing them to me. So sweet of you. Really appreciate very much. And…that’s a very delicious looking dish…..mmm
Congrats on ur awards and kalan looks super delicious..
Congrats on all your awards and wish you both happy vishu…
Yummy team, congrats on awards. Very nice detailed info on Kerala curries and specially Kalan. Never knew it before. And, your recipe looks yum.
Wish you both and your families a Very Happy Vishu!!
All i need is rice to go with it and i can enjoy eating full stomach.. heheheheh 🙂
congrats on your awards…you got handful of them…thank you so much for sharing it with me… cheers!
Congrats on ur awards and thanks a lot for sharing with me 🙂
Hey congrats and Thanks so much.
I tried this recipe and it was awesome. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe. Will definitely make this again.