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Peanut Sundal - A Navratri Oblation Recipe

Sundal is one protien packed legume dish that is offered to Goddess as Neivedyam during the festival of Navratri in the south of India. Sundals can be prepared with an legumes and light tempering but with no traces of onion or garlic, specially because its an oblation. On other days , other occasions add some chopped shallots for a twist.
This Navrathri, on the second day today , I have prepared Peanut Sundal as prasadam (offering ). This post of mine today is soo much impromptu. While making this protien packed snack, I realised there are barely any recipes pertaining to Navrathri in my space , though I have been celebrating for years.

Living in London, this festival barely gets any spotlight celebrations among southindian. My mom does keep Golu, while Mil doesnt. I havent begun the custom of keeping Golu instead I do take pride in giving Vethalai Paaku. A ritual where we handover a goodiebag with turmeric, kumkum - the so called red powder, vethalai -paaku also known as Betel leaves with Betlenut, a gift item instead of blouse piece along with one prasadam that has been offered to God.I do not pack a whole coconut or give betel leaves ,because it goes lying in some corner of the house and then binned. 

My Goodie bag contains , turmeric,kumkum, a gift item ( a candle/ diya this year), an apple along with this prasadam. 
On inviting my lovely guests who are married women , they promptly come to collect vethalai paaku / haldi kumkum. But who cares to dress for the occasion!! Most of them come wearing clothing suitable for the weather.. People have even come wearing a denim skirt .. Woof!! Its not pin pointing at anyone in particular. It is the question of the long forgotten tradition and culture among the present generation. The tradition of getting dressed in regional clothing and fully decked up is all long lost in this NRI world. The thought about whether the kids will ever witness the authenticity and culture is the question!!

 More chit chat on the navrathri celebrations, traditions and culture abroad in my next Navratri post .Lets head straight to the recipe - The Peanut Sundal.

PEANUT SUNDAL Prep Time: 1 Hour | Cooking Time: 20 minutes INGREDIENTS: 1 Cup Peanuts ( dry) Salt  to Taste 1 Green Chili finely chopped 2 Tbsp. of grated coconut A gentle squeeze of lemon juice  – Approximately  1 tsp    To Temper 1 tsp Mustard Seeds 1 tsp Urd Dal 1 Dried Red Chilli 2 Pinch of Hing/Asofoetida A Sprig of CurryLeaves Approx 8-10No’s 2 Tsp of Oil DIRECTIONS:  Wash the Peanuts and soak it for an hour. Drain all the water and cook them in pressure cooker with ½ a tsp of salt and some water just enough to soak the peanuts. Drain the water and set the peanuts aside.   Heat oil in a pan and drop the mustard seeds. Once it begins to crackle, add the remaining ingredients. As you notice Urd Dal turning brown, add the cooked peanuts, finely chopped green chillies. Adjust salt as needed.  Stir for a minute, add the lemon juice and the coconut for garnishing.   NOTES: One can include grated ginger for a fine twist in the same sundal. Also if this prepared sundal is not for offering, add some finely chopped onions after the tempering for an alluring flavour on a rainy evening.

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Labels: Navratri, Peanuts, Sundal, Vrat Recipe