Olan is another vegetable preparation which is very typical of Kerala. It is made of Ash Gourd (also known as Winter Melon) and Pumpkin (both very commonly available vegetables) and and a handful of cooked black-eyed beans simmered in coconut milk and then seasoned with a little coconut oil. There are no spices used with the exception of green chillies. Yet the green chillies do not make it spicy, just lend a flavour.
The other interesting thing about Olan is that turmeric powder, which is typically used in most South Indian recipes is not used here, and this makes for an aesthetically pleasing milky white and golden yellow vegetable dish. Another thing about Olan is that the typical addition of tempered spices in oil is also absent here. So the main flavours are those of the vegetables and the flavour of coconut from both coconut milk which forms the gravy as well as the coconut oil which is used to finish the dish.
So despite having very little or no spice which in itself is unusual in an Indian “curry”, this is not bland. It is very tasty, full of flavour with the slight sweetness of coconut milk. No traditional festive meal (called a “Sadhya”) in Kerala, whether religious or celebratory, is complete without an Olan.
Malayalis all over the world celebrate the festival of Onam which is a ten day long celebration with Thiruvonam (the tenth and final day of the Onam festival) being the most important. This time, we aren’t having a sadhya as such but I have cooked some of the dishes which are served as part of the festive lunch. Today’s post Olan and though it is festive fare, it is also something that is regularly cooked in homes all across Kerala regularly. This dish is one of those which Palakkad Iyers have also adopted and made their own.
Sometimes very tender yard long beans are also added to the usual vegetables in Olan. Olan can also be made with only ash gourd or only pumpkin with all the other ingredients remaining the same.There is also a less rich version of this dish that is sometimes cooked with milk instead of coconut milk.
Olan - Pumpkin and Ash Gourd/ Winter Melon in Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pumpkin (cut into approx. 1u201d pieces and 1/4u201d thick)
- 1 1/2 cups ash gourd (cut into approx. 1u201d pieces and 1/4u201d thick)
- 1/4 cup black-eyed beans dried red cowpeas or
- 2 or 3 green chillies , slit lengthwise
- 1 cup coconut milk thin
- 1/2 cup coconut milk thick
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Soak the red cowpeas/ black-eyed beans overnight and cook till soft but firm.
- Put the sliced pumpkin and ashgourd in a pan and add the thin coconut milk. Keep this on the stove and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat, add the chillies, the cooked red cowpeas/ black-eyed beans, salt and allow to simmer till the vegetables are cooked while stirring occasionally.
- Now add the thick coconut milk and the curry leaves. Do not allow to boil or the coconut milk will split. Mix well and then turn off the heat. The consistency of the Olan should be of a vegetable with a little gravy which is not watery yet not very thick. Pour the coconut oil in to the pan, do not mix, and cover the pan.
- Mix just before serving. When mixing, the cooked vegetable may break into smaller pieces appearing a little mushy. This is acceptable.
- Serve warm as a side dish along with rice, sambhar and pappadum.
sra says
I quite like Olan. Had it at a friend’s wedding and made it a couple of times at home. It so happens that I have either the peas or the pumpkin whenever I think of it, not both.
Curry Leaf says
HAPPY ONAM,APARNA
arundati says
happy onam aparna…. i made avial and keerai molagootan… 🙂 now am off to a friend’s for sadya!!
Fearless Kitchen says
This is really interesting. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen ash gourd before, but the coconut milk would make almost anything taste good to me! Enjoy your celebration!
mallugirl says
happy onam to u.
Pearlsofeast says
Wish U happy onam Aparna and the olan sounds delicious with coconut milk and oil.I was really mouthwatering.
Jayashree says
Happy Onam to you. I made olan with pumpkin and ashgourd today too.
Bharti says
Never tried this before. It sounds delicious. Wish you a very Happy Onam!
Divya says
My mother-in-law used to make Olan, but I failed to learn it from her, since I was busy eating it… Lovely recipe
Divya Vikram says
Happy Onam..Nice recipe..
Cham says
Happy Onam Aparna, Olan is my fav keralite dish , it looks yummy 🙂
farida says
Interesing recipe! Is ash-gurd something like dried yogurt?
Srivalli says
Aparna, we had a great sadhya yesterday in a restaurant..:)..but the olan they claimed, wasn’t as pretty as yours…I have never tasted olan till now..so will surely try yours..I was telling my colleagues that the pictures of olan I have seen were far far beautiful….
Spices n Aroma says
Yummmmy oolan!! this is my first time here and i jus loved ur blog…Jus popped into say a big hi!happy blogging
Aparna says
Farida,An Ash Gourd is a vegetable also called a Winter Melon in English. It is light grren in colour, white on the inside and is covered with a thin ashy coat which comes off on your fingers, which is washed away before peeling it. Hence the name Ash Gourd.
Sunshinemom says
Belated Onam greetings! Love olan. There is something about the taste of coconut milk that is so ummm…. heavenly!
Vij says
hi yahthanks for your comments on my blog. I remember seeing some event with theme “Green”.. i didnt bookmark that page and now I wanna know the person who is hosting it. If you have any idea pls tell me!!!
Aparna says
Vij,That event where the colour is “green” is at Harini’s (Sunshinemom) blog -TongueTicklers.
Nags says
Thank you for the lovely Olan, Aparna 🙂
Usha says
Your olan looks really good,there is an award for you at my blog please check it out 🙂
Dhanggit says
Oh my this is the type of vegetable dish that my auntie prepares so well. I miss this kind of cooking! I love this spicy and eaten with rice of course 🙂
Priti S says
Olan looking so gud…and simple recipe…Happy Belated Onam to you too 🙂
Srividya says
I had olan only once at a friend’s place and hated it with all my heart till I saw your recipe for it and the picture. So I have decide to remove my hate and try your wonderful appetising recipe. 🙂
Curry Leaf says
There is onam event at asankhana.blogspot as well.Do try to send this
Aparna says
It seems there is quite and “Olan” fan following amongst us. Very hearwarming.Thanks for the info Curry Leaf.
notyet100 says
Hi,thnks a lot for sending olan for the festival,..:-)