Erissery

Erissery is a preparation special to Kerala and it may be prepared with a variety of

ingredients.  But the main ingredient pumpkin is inevitable for an erissery.  Erissery is one of the curries of the famous Kerala Sadya.

 

Ingredients for erissery

Pumpkin (skin and seeds removed and cut into dices)-250 gm / 1 cup

Dry red beans – 150 gm

Turmeric powder ¼ tsp

Salt to taste

Shallots / Indian onions 5 nos

Green chillies 5 nos

Coconut grated 100 gm (half a coconut)

Cumin seeds powder ½ tsp

Dry red chillies 4 nos

Curry leaves 1 sprig

Mustard seeds 1 tsp

Oil 2 Tbsp.

Grated /finely chopped coconut 2 tbsp.

 

Preparation of erissery.

 

Wash, rinse and soak the dried beans overnight or for at least 8 hours.  Cook the beans adding enough water, salt, turmeric powder and when done add the pumpkin pieces and cook on low fire till the Pumpkin pieces are cooked and become soft.

Grind small onions, grated coconut, green chillies and cumin seed powder into a coarse paste using a mixer grinder.  Add the ground mix to the cooked beans Pumpkin and mix well mashing the pumpkins a little.

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and allow to splutter, break the red chillies into two or three each and add to the pan and sauté well. Now add curry leaves and coconut and sauté till golden brown.  Pour this over the cooked erissery and mix together.  Serve along with cooked rice and other vegetable curries.