NELLIKKAI GOJJU 

Gojju also known as Menskai is a sweet sour traditional dish popular in Karnataka . It is one of the mandatory dishes included in a festive spread . Gojjus can be prepared using vegetables as well as fruits. Tamarind is used in the preparation of Gojjus with vegetables like capsicum, okra or bitter gourd. But the same can be omitted while preparing Gojjus using sweet sour fruits like Pineapple, Mango or Gooseberries . Here is a recipe to prepare a sweet sour finger licking Nellikkai Gojju / Gooseberry relish . 

                                                                                

INGREDIENTS

Gooseberries - 10

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Jaggery - a plum size ball 

Salt - 1 tsp

INGREDIENTS FOR THE GOJJU MASALA

Split Black gram dal - 2 tbsps

White Sesame seeds - 2 tbsps

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp

Red chillies - 3 ( Broken)

Grated coconut - 2 tbsps

Oil - 1/4 tsp

TO MAKE THE GOJJU PASTE

1. Dry roast sesame seeds and keep aside.

2. Roast Black gram dal, Fenugreek seeds , Cumin seeds and Red chillies in hot oil till they emanate a very pleasant aroma and allow them to cool . 

3. Grind all the roasted ingredients with coconut gratings into a smooth paste adding little water .

TO MAKE THE GOJJU

1. Cover the gooseberries with water and cook adding turmeric powder, salt and jaggery.

                                                                                                             

2. When the berries are cooked blend in the ground Gojju masala . 

3. Stir well and cook till the Gojju thickens and switch off flame. 

                                                                                  

 Add a seasoning with mustard seeds and curry leaves if you wish to. 

                                                                                

Enjoy the flavoursome Nellikkai Gojju with  steaming hot rice as a main course or relish it as a side dish with your meal.

Gojju also known as Menaskai is a Karnataka delicacy. A wedding feast is never complete without this sweet-sour relish. Gojjus can be prepared using any sweet sour fruit. But Pineapple Gojju / Menaskai is the most popular relish. Here is a unique Gojju / Menskai prepared with Star Fruit known as Kamarakshi in Kannada.

                                                                                                   

 Ripe Star Fruit slices - 2 cups

Tamarind - 1 plum size ball ( Extract juice )

Jaggery - 1 plum size piece

Turmeric powder - 1 pinch

Salt - 1 tsp

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE THE GOJJU PASTE

                                                                                                    

Split Black gram dal - 2 tbsp

Red chillies ( Broken) - 3

Fenugreek seeds - 1 pinch

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Fresh coconut ( Grated) - 2 tbsps

Sesame oil - 1/2 tsp

Mustard seeds and curry leaves for seasoning

TO MAKE THE GOJJU PASTE

1. Dry roast Sesame seeds and keep aside . 

2. Roast split Black gram dal, Fenugreek seeds , Cumin seeds, Red chillies and Asafoetida in 1/4 tsp of oil till they emanate a pleasant aroma.

3. Cool the roasted ingredients and grind with roasted sesame seeds and fresh coconut into a smooth paste adding water.

TO MAKE THE GOJJU

1. Lightly scrape the rinds and cut the Star fruits into star shaped slices.

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                    

2 . Cook the Star fruit slices in tamarind juice adding salt, turmeric powder and jaggery.

3. Blend in the prepared gojju paste and cook for few more minutes till the gojju thickens and switch off flame. 

4. Splutter a pinch of mustard seeds and curry leaves in 1/4 tsp of oil and season the gojju.