Jackfruit Seed Lentil Gravy/Palakottai Sambar

It is usually difficult to get Jackfruit in areas where they are not cultivated. And that is the case for us usually. But, during this season, it is available just across the road. So you may see a plethora of dishes using Jackfruit Seeds. J

Here we will see how to make Sambar using Jackfruit Seeds.

Ingredients:

Chana Dal – ¼ cup

Jackfruit Seeds – 25 Nos (cooked and cut into halves)

Drum Stick – 2 (cut into 2 inch long pieces)

Red Chilli Powder – ½ tsp

Coriander Seed Powder – ½ tsp

Roasted Methi Seed Powder – 1 pinch

Tamarind – small goose berry size

Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp + 1 pinch

Salt to taste

Jaggery or Sugar – ½ tsp

For Tempering:

Oil – 1 tbsp

Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp

Urad Dal – 1 tsp

Onion (small) – 1 (sliced)

Red Chillies – 2

Curry Leaves – from 1 twig

Asafoetida – 1/8 tsp

Method:

Soak Chana Dal in water for an hour. Cook the soaked Dal in a pressure cooker with a cup of water together with the chopped Green Chillies, ¼ tsp of Turmeric Powder for 5 to 6 minutes in medium flame till the Dal becomes soft. Allow the steam to escape naturally. Mash the Dal lightly when it is hot with a ladle or a potato masher. If the Dal is too thick, add some water, mix well and keep aside.

Soak the Tamarind in ½ cup of warm water. Extract the juice and keep the juice aside.

Take the chopped Jackfruit Seeds in a vessel. Add Drumstick pieces, Chilli Powder, Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder, Cumin Seed Powder and the roasted Fenugreek Powder.

Add 2 cups of water and the Tamarind juice. Heat the vessel along with these ingredients. When it comes to a boil, cover the vessel with a lid and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes in low to medium flame.

Add the mashed Dal. Adjust Salt. If the texture of this Sambar is thick, add some more water and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in between so that the Dal does not stick to the bottom of the vessel.

In the meanwhile, heat the Oil in a small pan. Add Mustard Seed. Allow it to splutter. Add the Urad Dal, Red Chillies and Curry Leaves. After another few seconds, add the sliced Onion and stir cook till it becomes translucent.