Sweet and sour Mango relish

Traditionally in most South Indian meals this dish is served alongwith many other chutneys and raitas.

On the event of the Tamil New year though it is customary to include a dish which is sour,another which is sweet . Similarly one dish has to include something bitter with the neem flowers(Veppampoo). This is done symbolic of the sweet, spicy, sour and bitter events that are a part of every human beings life. It teaches us to accept all the situations in the same manner and deal with them efficiently.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup peeled thinly sliced Raw mango

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

2 green chillies slit lengthwise

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/4 tsp split black gram dal

asafoetida a pinch

3 tbsp jaggery

2-3 sprigs of neem flowers.

Cardamom powder a pinch

Few curry leaves

salt to taste

Procedure:

Boil the raw mango with a little water, salt, turmeric and the green chillies.

Mash them lightly and set aside.

In a pan melt the jaggery with very little water and drain any scum that might arise.

To it add the mango mixture.

In a pan heat the oil and temper it with the mustard seeds. When they crackle add the asafoetida, split black gram dal and curry leaves.

Add this tempering to the mango jaggery mixture and serve with other South Indian dishes.