Erissery (Green Plantain & Yam Curry - Kerala Cuisine)

       
           Erissery is a traditional Kerala Cuisine. It is a combination of green plantain and elephant yam cooked with coconut and tempered with some aromatic spices. It is one of the items in an Onam Sadya meal. Very easy and a simple vegetarian dish which can be prepared in no time. Red pumpkin is another essential veggie which is also used in this preparation.

• 1 green plantain, scraped & cubed
• 250 gms. elephant yam, cubed
• 3/4 cup fresh coconut, grated
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 dry red chilly

          Pressure cook the plantain and the yam in 1 cup water, turmeric powder, pepper powder and red chili powder for 2-3 whistles. Grind 1/4 cup coconut and cumin seeds to a paste. Keep aside.

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan and fry the remaining coconut on a low flame till golden brown in colour. keep aside.

          Mash the boiled veggies lightly and mix with the ground coconut paste and salt. In a non-stick pan saute the veggie mix and the fried coconut (leaving some for garnishing) for 1-2 minutes.

          Temper the remaining oil with the mustard seeds, dry red chilly and curry leaves. Pour it over the cooked veggie. Serve, garnished with the remaining fried coconut,