Koottu Curry | Brahmin Style Koottukari

Koottu curry or koottukari is a traditional Kerala curry and an important dish in a sadya(feast). Koottu means combination and as the name implies, it is a combination of different vegetables like ashgourd, yam, raw banana/plantain and lentils like chickpeas or split bengal gram. Like most of the Kerala dishes, this dish is also loaded with coconut and what makes the koottu extra special is the addition of roasted coconut at the end which adds a unique flavor and lovely aroma.

The preparation of this koottu varies from region to region and mostly is made with yam, raw banana/plantain and brown chickpeas. Today I’m sharing a typical Brahmin style koottukari with ashgourd, yam and kadalai paruppu/chana dal. Koottu curry is my favorite dish among sadya recipes. I couldn’t get fresh yam here, so I have used frozen yam. The frozen yam actually made my job easy and saved time too. If you are planning a onam sadya this time or even a mini sadya, try this easy and delicious koottu curry.

koottukari

Koottu Curry

Brahmin style coconut based curry with yam, ashgourd and bengal gram
Servings 4
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ashgourd / elavan peeled and cut into small cubes
  • ½ cup yam / chenai peeled and cut into small cubes
  • ¼ cup chana dal / kadalai paruppu
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp grated jaggery
  • Salt to taste
  • Few curry leaves

To roast

  • ¼ cup grated coconut
  • 2-3 dry red chillies

To grind

  • ½ cup grated coconut
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds / jeera

To temper

  • 2 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp split urad dal
  • 1-2 dry red chillies
  • Few curry leaves

Instructions

  • Pressure cook the chana dal and yam with half of the turmeric powder, salt and water enough to cover them for 3 whistles.
  • In a pan, roast ¼ cup coconut until they turn light brown in color. Transfer to a plate. Then roast the red chillies until they are crisp.
  • Grind the ½ cup coconut, cumin seeds along with 2 tbsp of the roasted coconut and red chillies to a smooth paste adding water as required.
  • In a kadai, add ashgourd, remaining turmeric powder, jaggery, salt and enough water to cover them and cook until the ashgourd becomes soft.
  • Then add the cooked chana dal and yam. Mix well. Add the ground coconut paste, curry leaves, adjust salt if required and cook for 3-4 minutes.
  • In a small pan, heat coconut oil and add mustard seeds. When it splutters, add urad dal, red chillies and curry leaves.
  • Pour this over the koottu and add the remaining roasted coconut. Mix well.

Notes

  • You can also use frozen yam if fresh yam is not available.
  • If using frozen yam, soak the chana dal for 30 minutes and cook the dal, ashgourd and yam together in kadai with enough water, turmeric powder, jaggery and salt.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out for you! Or snap a photo and tag @spillthespices on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #spillthespices.

Join the Conversation

  1. Wow the kootu curry looks yummm Sona love this combination of veggies. I usually make kadala kaya mix.

  2. Delicious koottu curry Sona….love the way u presented in banana leaf and the snaps too…… 🙂

  3. Any coconut base is an absolute yum. BTW can we replace or mix with Vazhai?

  4. Thanks Soumya. Yes you can substitute ashgourd with vazhakkai.

  5. Koottu curry looks delicious. Can i substitute ashgourd with zucchini?

  6. Thanks Sangeetha. I have not tried with zucchini and I think the taste might vary. You can try with bottlegourd/sorakkai or chow chow/chayote.

  7. Delicious Kootu curry.. I am a great fan of South Indian food.

  8. kootu curry looks delicious..beautiful shots

  9. Lovely presentation and pics Sona.. Kootu curry looks delicious.

  10. Kottu curry looks perfect..pic looks stunning

  11. Your pics are amazing Sona.. Koottu curry looks delicious. Love your version..

  12. I love this dish in sadya. I have had with yam and plantain but with ashgourd sounds very different. Loved how you have presented in banana leaf.

  13. lovely presentation,Sona..looks tempting!

  14. Delicious kootu curry and nice presentation..

  15. very tasty tempting curry.. nice combo of spices and vegetables

  16. This is something new to me. Looks delicious and i love how you have presented in banana leaf..

  17. Looks very tempting dear…as always loved the clicks

  18. This s new go me.. Coconut flavours is tempting me to try this.. Lovely clicks

  19. looks yum, love banana leaves

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