7 kari kootu | 7 vegetable thick stew | Pongal Recipe

Pongal festival is around the corner. Tamilians celebrate pongal on 14th of Jan. This is a festival of harvest. Harvested ingredients are used to cook some simple yet healthy and delicious food on the day of pongal. As a accompaniment for sakkarai pongal this 7 kari kootu is made in every home for pongal festival. The sweet pongala nd spicy kari kootu makes a amazing combination. 

Today’s post is one such food prepared on the day of pongal.A combination of 7 vegetables used in the preparation of Kootu is what is known as 7 Kari Kootu. In Tirunelveli and Madurai areas, we make this kootu for Pongal festivals .Traditionally this kootu is made with what is called as ‘nattu kai kari”(country vegetables, or vegetables that’s available easily in villages, like pumpkin, yam(sembu karunai), etc. In today’s kootu recipe, I have used what ever was available in my fridge. The kootu recipe is very simple, chop cook veggies, grind masala and mix all to gather and cook. This way of cooking is usually done by villagers/farmers.

Looking for more curry recipes for your everyday meals? Try these

Broad Bean Curry

PAVAKKA VATHAL KOZHUMBHU

7 Kari Kootu

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

• 3 cups mix of 7 different vegetables (I used a mix of all these veggies – carrots, broad beans, brinjal, potato, green capsicum, fresh green peas, field beans)
• 1/2 tspn turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1/4 cup tamarind juice
• 1 tspn rice flour mixed in 1 tsp water
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt to taste

To roast and grind-

• 1 tbsp channa dal/bengal gram
• 1 tbsp toor dal/ split black gram
• 4 no dried red chillies
• 1/4 tsp til/sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp oil
• 1/2 cup coconut (grated or finely chopped)

To temper-

• 1 tsp oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 generous pinch asafoetida
• 1 sprig curry leaves

Instructions

• Clean and chop all the veggies into small pieces. Cook them(do not make them mushy/over cook)
  
• Heat oil in a pan and roast all the ingredients except for coconut, mentioned under ‘roast and grind’. Roast until they are golden brown then switch off flame and add the coconut and roast it. Let it cool for 5 mins. In a blender add very little water and blend all the ingredients to a smooth thick paste.
  
• Once the veggies get cooked, add the masala paste along with turmeric powder and red chilli powder and salt and let it cook until the raw smell of the spice powders is gone off.
  
• Next add the tamarind juice and check for seasoning and adjust accordingly. 
  
• Add rice flour mixed with water to the curry, this will help in thickening the curry. Let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes.
  
• Meanwhile in another small pan heat oil mentioned under to temper. Add mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves and let them splutter.
  
•  Finally switch off the stove and add the temper to the veggies, mix well.
• That’s it! Simple yet delicious 7 kari kootu is ready. Serve hot with steamed rice or even sweet pongal. Try this recipe for pongal festival and enjoy!

Notes

My Notes-
1. This kootu recipe can be made with dal also. Use 1/2 cup of mixed channa and toor dal, cook the dal and add the dal to the vegetbales. Today I prefered to make without dal.
2. The combination of vegetables can be used as per your choice, but traditionally yam, pumpkin, raw banana and field beans goes in it.