Vellarikka or Cucumber Pulinkari is a curry that has n number of varieties through out Kerala. In some places in Kerala they add jeera, others add shallots, some add dal etc etc. I am preparing my mothers own Kottayam style Pulinkari with only Cucumber. For this authentic Kerala dish you need to use the round fat cucumber not your salad cucumbers. For easy cooking am preparing it in Pressure Cooker.
Preparation time- 25 mins
Ingredients
Cucumber-1/2 medium size
Red chilly powder- 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Shallots- 5-6 nos
Curry leaves- 1 strand
Red Chilly- 1 no
Coconut- 1 cup grated
Coconut oil- 1 1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Tamarind water- 1/2 cup thick
Fenugreek seeds- 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Water as required
Method
PS:-
Ingredients
Cucumber-1/2 medium size
Red chilly powder- 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Shallots- 5-6 nos
Curry leaves- 1 strand
Red Chilly- 1 no
Coconut- 1 cup grated
Coconut oil- 1 1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Tamarind water- 1/2 cup thick
Fenugreek seeds- 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Water as required
Method
Cook cucumber in adequate amount of water(I used 2 cups) along with red chilly & turmeric powder and salt. I used a pressure cooker and waited for single whistle. Let it cool down.
Grind coconut and 1 shallot into a fine paste.
Open the cooker and if required add more water. Once it starts boiling add tamarind water.
Add coconut paste into this and reduce flame to the lowest. Keep stirring occasionally. Once it starts boiling remove from flame.
Cut the remaining shallots into rings. Heat oil in a pan and add shallots.
Once they starts changing color add fenugreek and mustard seeds.
When mustard finish popping add red chilly and curry leaves. Stir the shallots till they are golden brown.
PS:-
- I used a standard 250 ml measuring cup.