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Home » All Recipes » Kootu Curry (Kerala style Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry)

Kootu Curry (Kerala style Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry)

August 2, 2016 by Dhanya Samuel 15 Comments

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Kootu Curry (Kerala style Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry) – a delicious dish that’s a part of Onam sadya!

Kootu Curry (Kerala style Black Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry with Coconut and Peppercorns) - thespiceadventuress.com


Kootu Curry (Kerala style Black Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry with Coconut and Peppercorns) - thespiceadventuress.com

The flavours of Kerala can throw a real surprise to those who are not familiar with the state. The style of cooking and choice of ingredients can be so varied from region to region inspite of it being such a small state in terms of topography.

Most people associate Kerala with non vegetarian food, which is understandable given the state’s fixation with seafood and beef. But the land also has a vast repertoire of vegetarian dishes, many of which are practically unheard of like today’s Kootu Curry. A disclaimer here…..there are a few versions of this dish that can be found across the state but the recipe that I am sharing with all of you comes from the Malabar region (which in my opinion is the most delicious!)

So the Kootu curry is essentially a mixed vegetarian curry and is always prepared using black chickpeas, raw plantain and Indian yams. This dish is a true representation of the state as the main flavour components are coconut and peppercorns. It is the Malabar region that gave ‘peppercorns’ aka ‘black gold’ to the world. So the Kootu curry is a befitting tribute to that discovery which changed the course of the world.


Kootu Curry (Kerala style Black Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry with Coconut and Peppercorns) - thespiceadventuress.com
Black peppercorns - food photography - thespiceadventuress.com

I am yet to find the Indian variety yams in any of the Melbourne markets, most often I find the other Asian varieties. Now if you are not looking for the exact traditional recipe, you may use that though the taste will vary slightly. Or you could get these traditional Indian ones, which are available frozen in most Indian stores.

The Kootu Curry is also an integral part of the Onam sadya (the banana leaf feast which Kerala is famous for); it’s one of the several dishes that make up the feast. But for everyday purposes, this is best served as a side to steamed rice and dal. To complete, add some pappadums!

So add these ingredients to your shopping list so that we can get cooking Kootu Curry or Kerala style black chickpeas, plantain and yam curry with coconut and peppercorns.


Kootu Curry (Kerala style Black Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry with Coconut and Peppercorns) - thespiceadventuress.com

For more delicious and traditional Onam recipes, visit this article.

Kootu Curry (Kerala style Black Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry with Coconut and Peppercorns) - thespiceadventuress.com
Print Recipe

Kootu Curry (Kerala Style Chickpeas, Plantain AND Yam Curry

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup black chickpeas; washed and soaked overnight
  • 1 medium sized raw plantain; cut into large chunks
  • 100 gms yam; diced
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp red chilli powder
  • ½ cup grated coconut
  • 1 ½ – 2 tbsp black peppercorns
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • ½ tsp black mustard seeds
  • 2 sprigs curry leaves
  • 2 dry red chilli
  • Salt to season

Instructions

  • To a pressure cooker, add the black chickpeas with 1 ½ cups water, season with salt and cook till ¾ ths done.
  • In another pan, cook the plantain along with red chilli powder, half of the turmeric powder, salt and 1 ½ cups water till done. Drain and keep aside.
  • Add the diced yams to the black chickpeas and cook till the yams are lightly mushy (use the back of the ladle to mash the yams if necessary). Then add the drained plantain and mix well to combine.
  • Coarsely crush the grated coconut, peppercorns and garlic in a mortar and pestle or grinder and add this to the cooked chickpeas. Add the remaining turmeric powder and mix well to combine.
  • Taste and season with salt if necessary. Cook in low heat for 1-2 minutes and remove.
  • To temper, heat coconut oil in a small pan and crackle the mustard seeds. Then add the curry leaves and dry red chilli. Pour this over the prepared chickpeas and mix well to combine.
  • Keep covered for at least 15 minutes before serving.
  • Enjoy with a bowl of rice and dal/lentils.

Kootu Curry (Kerala style Black Chickpeas, Plantain and Yam Curry with Coconut and Peppercorns) - thespiceadventuress.com
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Archana

    March 4, 2017 at 1:10 am

    Vanya, superb recipe and gorgeous pictures!!!

    Reply
    • vanyadhanya

      March 4, 2017 at 4:20 pm

      Thanks so much Archana

      Reply
  2. Asha

    December 6, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    Vow.. looks so tempting. Can u share a pic of the yam u used?? Any other substitutes for Indian yam??

    Reply
    • vanyadhanya

      December 6, 2016 at 11:00 pm

      Thanks dear. There is a shot of the yam pieces in a bowl with the other ingredients. It’s hard to find the native variety of yam in Melbourne so I used frozen ones which are already cut and packaged.

      Reply
  3. Sumith Babu

    November 10, 2016 at 5:30 am

    Wow craving for a sadhya:)

    Reply
    • vanyadhanya

      November 10, 2016 at 8:16 am

      Always craving for a sadhya; nothing quite like it.

      Reply
  4. RecipeTin (@Recipe_Tin)

    August 3, 2016 at 12:21 am

    I just love it! You’re making me want to learn more about this recipe. Why does it looks so good? :))

    Reply
    • vanyadhanya

      August 3, 2016 at 3:29 am

      That’s lovely to hear; thanks Nagi.

      Reply
  5. Aruna

    August 3, 2016 at 12:02 am

    As a vegetarian, I can testify to the wonderful vegetarian Kerala food. This curry looks delicious and I will try it soon. 🙂

    Reply
    • vanyadhanya

      August 3, 2016 at 3:29 am

      Awesome; hope you enjoy it Aruna

      Reply
  6. srividhya

    August 2, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Lovely clicks.. I agree with you.. fish is predominant in Kerala but still there are loads of yummylicious vegetarian recipes. Great share.

    Reply
    • vanyadhanya

      August 2, 2016 at 11:24 pm

      Thanks Srividhya….we have such unique dishes in Kerala that needs to be cherished and enjoyed more often.

      Reply

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Hi, I am Dhanya. The Spice Adventuress is my alter ego. Through her, I fulfill my desire to put my thoughts into words, explore my restless creative soul and express it through food and photography.

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