Maangai Pachidi

Maangai ( Mango ) pachidi is a must on the menu list on the Tamil New Year's Day. As with the spring coming in with lots of mangoes on the trees, this pachidi makes its way to the menu along with "Vepampoo" ( neem flowers ) depicting that the New Year brings in all flavors of life and face it.
In my house the tradition is to add fried neem flowers to this sweet & sour pachidi which adds a slight bitter taste also. I cook the mangoes the microwave which is quick.


Ingredients :

1 medium size raw firm mango ( the mango must be sour & slightly sweet )
1/2 cup grated jaggery
2 - 3 green chillies
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
a pinch of asafoetida
Salt to taste
1 tsp. fresh or dried neem flowers
1 tsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds


Method :

1. Cut the mango along with the peel ( if the peel is too thick and bitter, then discard it ) into small slices.

2. In a microwave safe glass bowl put the sliced mango along with salt, turmeric, green chillies and 1/2 cup water and cook covered on high for 4 minutes. ( check to see if the mangoes are cooked, if not cook for another minute or two )

3. Add jaggery and cook uncovered for 2 minutes on high stirring in between every one minute.

4. Heat oil and fry the neem flowers till dark brown and add to the mango. In the remainging oil splutter mustards seeds and asfoetida and add to the pachidi and mix.

This pachidi has all the types of taste i.e. sourness from the mango, sweet from the jaggery, heat from the chillies and bitterness from the neem flowers. Usually fresh neem flowers are added to the pachidi,but as it may taste too bitter, they are fried in oil and then added.

Krishnaarpanam