Olan , Kerala olan recipe, Sadya recipe, Kerala sadya recipe, pumpkin paal kootu is a rich and tasty Kerala-based side dish prepared with pumpkin, black-eyed peas / karamani/ thatta payaru, and coconut milk.
What is olan?
Olan is a traditional Indian dish as a part of Kerala cuisine. It is widely prepared as a part of Onam sadya | vishu sadhya meals. White pumpkin and yellow pumpkin cooked along with black-eyed peas in coconut milk. The rich coconut-based dish tastes delicious. Gluten-free, Indian vegan side dish.
How to cook pumpkin?
Pumpkins generally cook fast. If the Pumpkin you use is extremely raw you can pressure cook, as I did for paal kootu. If the pumpkin is ripe I would highly recommend cooking them in the pot. It hardly took less than 5 minutes for the pumpkin to cook.
Can I cook the pumpkin in the pressure cooker or instant pot?
If you are going to pressure cook them in a separator with a little salt and a tablespoon of water. If you going to cook directly in a pressure cooker / IP release the pressure manually to prevent mushing
Should I cook pumpkin in coconut milk?
It is optional but cooking pumpkin in coconut milk gives a good flavor to the olan so I would highly recommend that.
How much homemade coconut milk should I use?
Traditionally homemade coconut milk is used for olan but for easy cooking, I have used store-bought coconut millk.instead of store-bought coconut milk you can use the same amount of thick homemade coconut milk .
Can I substitute pumpkin?
Traditionally pumpkin is used for olan. I have used white and yellow pumpkin for olan recipe instead you can use one variety of pumpkin. If you are looking for vegetables with coconut milk-based recipes check vegetable stew.
Will the olan curdle if we add thick coconut milk and cook?
After adding black-eyed peas, we add thick coconut milk for the second time and cook the olan covered for 2 minutes. Since we have enough water in olan it won’t curdle
What should be the consistency of olan?
Traditionally olan is a bit watery compared to other kootu recipes. Homemade coconut milk results in a slightly runny dish. Store-bought coconut milk tends to thicken over time so based on your preferences adjust the water according
What tastes best with olan?
Traditionally olan is served on sadya with a wide spread of dishes but if you are planning to make olan for a regular meal I would recommend Rasam, tamarind-based Kuzhambu. Since pumpkin might cause gastric problem make sure you add asafoetida, garlic, ginger or any elements which aid for digestion
Coconut based recipes in TMF
Pumpkin based recipes in TMF
Kootu recipes in TMF
Ingredients
2 tablespoon + thick 1/3 cup thick coconut milk 1/2 cup Black eyes peas 1 + 1/2 cup White pumpkin 1 + 1/2 cup Yellow pumpkin 1/2 cup Water 3 green chilli Few curry leaves Salt 1 tablespoon coconut oil
How to make Olan with step by step pictures:
Firstly, soak black eyes peas for 1 hour in hot water
Discard the water, measure, and add 1 cup of water
Pressure cook for 2 whistles and let the pressure subsides naturally
In a wide pan add 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil and when the oil is hot add curry leaves and green chilli
Let the curry leaves roast and green chilli slightly turns half white
Add 1/2 cup of water and required salt and bring it to the boil
Furthermore, add yellow pumpkin, cover, and let it cook for a 30 seconds
Add white pumpkin and 2 tablespoon of coconut milk, cover, and cook for 3-5 minutes until both pumpkins turn fork tender
Simmer the stove and add filtered cooked black eyes peas, 1/3 cup of coconut milk, 1/2 tablespoon of oil, mix gently
Cover cook for 2 minutes and turn off the stove
Keep the olan covered for 5 minutes for the flavors to enhance then serve
