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Papaya Avial Kootan - Raw Papaya in a Coconut Gravy

This is another version of the traditional Aviyal and unusual in that it is made only with papaya and no other vegetable. Avial is a dry vegetable preparation with no gravy. My version has been adapted to be made with a gravy and hence the “Kootan” after the Avial in the title.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 serving

Ingredients
  

  • 1 papaya small raw (just beginning to ripen)
  • 1 cup yogurt slightly sour thick
  • xbc tsp turmeric powder
  • xbd coconut a small , grated
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 - 3 green chillies (or according to taste)
  • to taste salt
  • 2 tbsps coconut oil
  • 2 sprigs curry leaves

Instructions
 

  • Grind the coconut, cumin seeds and green chillies into a fine paste. Keep aside. Whisk the yogurt till smooth and keep aside.
  • Peel the papaya, remove seeds and cut into pieces about 1 xbd inches in length (like we cut potatoes for finger chips).
  • Cook the papaya with turmeric powder and salt and half a cup water till soft but firm. I cook the papaya in the microwave (without turmeric powder or salt) at 100% for about 8 minutes. Then I put the papaya into a pan with xbe cup of water, curry leaves, salt and turmeric powder.
  • When this comes to a boil, add the coconut paste and mix well. Turn down the heat and add the yogurt. Mix well. When the mixture just starts to boil, take off the heat. Pour the coconut oil and stir. Cover.
  • Serve hot with rice, pappads and pickle.

Notes

If you wish, this can prepared without the gravy. In that case, do not add the ¾ cup of water but just a couple of tbsps. This is not a traditional Palakkad Iyer preparation in the true sense because of the papaya but I am including it as one.