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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.

Despite having no spices (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  is complete without an Olan.

Olan (Pumpkin and Ash Gourd/ Winter Melon in Coconut Milk) by Aparna

Tags: Ash, Coconut, Gourd, Melon, Milk, Olan, Pumpkin, Winter