Pacha Andi Aviyal Recipe | Raw Cashewnuts Avial Kerala-Style Recipe

Aviyal is a very popular dish prepared in Kerala especially during the Onam festival. I have shared the authentic Kerala aviyal recipe already, a dish that's known to have originated while trying to use up leftover vegetables that won't suffice to make a dish of their own. Most food created in this manner are a personal favourite of mine, I feel, and avial is no exception. This cashew nut avial, however, is definitely not one born out of leftovers. Raw cashew nuts are expensive and treated with utmost care at home, and this dish is definitely a special one, not that shows up often on our dining table.

Pacha andi, or raw cashewnuts are not easily available and from what I know, are seasonal, in addition to being quite expensive. We have a man who delivers this to all our relatives' houses in Kerala, he has a thick moustache and a gruff voice. Last time I asked amma, she said he is getting old and obviously his son doesn't want to get into the "family business". When I was a kid, raw cashew nuts used to be 200 rupees for one kilo. Now they are more than double the price.

They are quite nice to eat as is, crunchy and fresh. When cooked, they turn a bit mushy and pasty (in a good way).

The only thing we ever make with raw cashew nuts is this aviyal. The recipe is exactly same as amma's Chakkakkuru Aviyal Recipe. The two changes you need to make are, since the cashew nuts cook quicker, you may only need about 5 mins boiling time. Also, add an extra ½ teaspoon red chilli powder since these are slightly sweet.

Oh and also, if you are unable to get your hands on some raw cashew nuts, soak some dried ones in water for at least 2 hours and follow the same recipe 🙂

Cashew Nut Aviyal Recipe

Cooking time: 30 mins
Serves: 4 as a side dish

Ingredients:
4 cups cashew nuts
1 drumstick, cut into 3" pieces
1 cup grated coconut
8-10 small onions/shallots sliced long
2 cloves garli, crushed
1 teaspoon red chilli powder (adjust if you like your food less spicy)
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
¼ teaspoon jeera/cumin powder
To temper:
2 tablespoon coconut oil
¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
A few curry leaves

Instructions:

1. If using dried cashew nuts, soak in warm water (enough to cover it) for at least 2 hours.

2. Place the drumsticks, half the sliced shallots, turmeric powder, chilli powder and jeera powder in a pan with 1 cup water. Cook on medium-low heat until the drumsticks turn soft (not mushy). Then add the cashew nuts and cook for another 5 mins or so. Add more water if needed.

3. Once this gets cooked, add the coconut and garlic and cook on low heat for another 5 mins until well combined. Add salt. At this time, the aviyal should be quite dry. If not, cook longer.

4. Heat oil in a pan and add the ingredients for tempering. Once the mustard seeds pop, add to the aviyal, mix well and serve hot with rice and onion pulusu.

Comments

delhibelle

January 07, 2010 at 3:25 pm

must you post such tempting dishes for which we can't ingredients in Singapore lah..

DEESHA

January 07, 2010 at 2:55 pm

I love anything that has cashews in it. looks excellent. Its been ages since I cooked anything for the blog. I too somehow don't seem to be in the groove

?

January 07, 2010 at 1:19 pm

Huge wave of nostalgia.... now to find some raw cashews! 🙂

meeso

January 06, 2010 at 9:48 pm

This is perfect for anyone who loves cashews!

Apoorva

January 06, 2010 at 8:10 pm

flooded with childhood memories of eating raw cashewnut curry. It is one of my favorite.Even now I soak the cashew and cook the curry.

Asha

January 06, 2010 at 7:25 pm

Mmmm..!!! Sounds and looks delicious. Not eaten raw Cashews in many years.

Happy 2010.

Mriganayani

January 06, 2010 at 5:58 pm

This looks totally awesome - I love cashews but never had it in this form. I want to make this now and eat.

Seena

January 06, 2010 at 5:29 pm

have heard a lot about this.. 🙂

Mangala Bhat

January 06, 2010 at 4:41 pm

WOW! totally new recipe to me ! looks soo good! Thanks for sharing!

Home Cooked Oriya Food

January 06, 2010 at 11:50 am

wow thats an yummy dish... I haven't eaten raw cashews since I was a kid. I had an Uncle who owned a cashew farm, I think he sold it off ages ago...

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