One thing has not changed though over all the years.
The child in me still yearns to run to the backyard, as soon as the wild frenzy kalboishakhi subsides and a serene calm returns, to collect the mangoes rendered homeless by the boisterous storm.
A lantern in tow.
An illumination of fireflies and an orchestra of crickets giving me enchanting company.
A magical world of fantasy Didi had helped me discover many summers back.
And one such evening, Maa makes a delectable Aam Potol with the green mangoes Dada and I return with. It tastes sublime.
Aam Potol. Pointed gourds. The sharp tart of raw green mangoes. The earthy sweetness of poppy seed paste. Spiked with mean green chillies. Perfumed with asafoetida.
Divine with rice on a scorching summer noon.
Enjoy !!!
Aam Potol (Parwal / Pointed Gourd with Green Mango)Potol er Aamshol (Parwal with Green Mango)
Ingredients
- 8-10 Potol (Parwal / Pointed Gourd) peeled and halved longitudinally
- 1 raw green mango chopped into small cubes
- 2 tbsp posto or poppy seeds
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 5-6 green chilies slit
- 1 tsp whole cumin seeds
- 2-3 dry red chilies
- a pinch of hing or asafetida
- 2.5 tbsp mustard oil
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Dry roast the cumin seeds and dry red chilies. Allow the spices to release their aroma. Grind to a fine powder, keep aside.
- Soak the poppy seeds in warm water for 15 odd minutes. Drain the water and grind to a fine paste with 2-3 green chilies. Keep aside.
- Heat mustard oil in a pan, when smoking hot, add the hing, allow to splutter. Now add the parwal halves, sprinkle little salt, turmeric powder and stir fry over a medium flame till light brown.
- Throw in the green mangoes, cover and cook till the mangoes are tender. 5-7 minutes I would reckon.
- Stir in the posto paste, throw in the remaining green chilies, continue to stir fry till oil starts to release from the masala and the parwal are perfectly cooked. Splash a little water if it's getting a bit too dry.
- Adjust seasonings and finish with a sprinkle of roasted masala. Serve hot with rice.
Loved the recipe and tempted to try asap! I wonder why I never had this interesting dish in my childhood. Just can’t wait to get my hands on some Kancha aam!!
Thanks for stopping by and your kind words of appreciation. If you enjoy the tartness of green mangoes, I have quite a few recipes on the blog. Do check !!
Madam I luv the way u experiment with dishes and especislly the beautiful write up leading to the recipe.
Ur a great writer , stirring up the readers imagination, and a wonderful cook as well!!
I luv to try try out ur innovative dishes, sometimes with a twist of my own.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you Bharathi. Let me know your twists , I too would be keen to try !!
The aam potol in the picture looks yellow in colour, was turmeric added as well? It is not there in the recipe. And since the mango is added first, does it turn into mush by the time the potol turns brownish?? That’s what happened in my case. But it tasted good!
Sarmistha, no, I have’t added any turmeric powder. And yes, the green mangoes will become mushy and get incorporated into the poppy seed paste.