I remember waiting eagerly for Vinayaka Chaturthi (Chovathi in Konkani) to come, to run to my paternal uncle’s place. The eldest member of our family, my uncle would celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi every year, seeking the blessings of Lord Ganapathi (Ganesha), for the health, happiness and prosperity of all the members of our family. The celebrations would…
Pickle
Cherry Tomato Pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Three years ago, my husband was traveling through our neighboring district of Coorg. Full of lush green coffee and pepper plantations, it is one of the more enchanting places on earth. Though planters for generations, the Coorgs (Kodavas) are a cultured, hospitable, good-natured, well-educated, honest and proud people with a rich tradition and a legendary love of…
Uppatta Nonche – Traditional Konkani lime pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
I was born into a large joint family. My father was one of nine children, and my mother, the eldest of twelve siblings. My dear late father, a jeweler, was the smartest and the most handsome of the lot. He took it upon himself to conduct every marriage or thread ceremony of all my cousins….
Acerola Cherry and Ivy Gourd Pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Konkani people make delicious, tender karonda cherry pickle called karinja nonche in Konkani. It is made using karonda cherries and tender ivy gourds. However, it is a tedious process as the karonda cherries are gummy and need to be processed for days before the pickle can be made. If you substitute the karonda cherries with…
Konkani Chili Pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
There are no newspaper boys where I live. Early morning, everyone goes to the tiny village marketplace to pick up their newspapers or to sell their milk and fresh farm produce, or to just gossip over a glass of tea at the local tea shops. This morning, when my husband went there for the newspaper,…
Bird’s Eye Chilies in Brine (Vegan + Gluten-Free)
One of the hottest and tastiest of wild chilies, pigeon eye chilies or bird’s eye chilies or Thai chilies have always been consumed by persons with cholesterol problems or obesity problems as advised by Ayurvedic physicians in Kerala. So too, the aboriginal healers of Wayanad have used these chilies with other medicinal herbs in plaster…