Erissery

In India my hubby's family has started a monthly 'Family get together'.Only siblings and very close uncles and aunts.It was a good initiative so that every one could meet up each month ,talk,eat together and the children really enjoyed playing,showing their talents like singing,acts etc..The time when every one talked face to face,played games without any gadgets, it was totally fun.As such in today's world no one has time for others and specially the children have no connection with their cousins and so on ...

They plan a date when every one could meet and in who's house.Each month it would be a different house,but the food will be from every house.Two weeks ahead itself they plan who will bring which food etc..They try not to make it in a lavish style with food wastage but like if one house brings a Curry ,the other will bring the Rotis,one comes up with a rice variety and the other with some desserts.But the people abroad gets a chance only during their vacation.

This vacation everyone had come ,so it was real fun.All being there this time the get together was made thrice,once with a Biriyani,then once it was a 'Sadhya',and as the members increased and so did the items.It was fun while deciding who will bring what...there were many raised hands for Bananas,Pickles,Pappad and Rice hehe ...

Now on to today's recipe and that's Erissery which is one among the Sadhya items.I have already posted the other items like Avial,Kumbalanga(Winter Melon)pachadi,the sweet Pineapple pachadi,Naranga(Lemon) curry etc...Erissery is made with a combination of Pumpkin and red cow peas,along with other ingredients giving it a nice flavor and taste.You can also make it with raw Plantains or with Yam.This is how we make:
Ingredients 
Pumpkin cubed    21/2 cup
Red cow peas   1/4 cup
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Green Chillies   2 slit
Salt  as needed
Oil    2 tsp
Mustard seeds  1/4 tsp
Curry leaves  a few
Red chilly  1 no.

To grind
Coconut 1/2 cup
Cumin seeds  1/4 tsp
Shallots    2-3
Garlic cloves  2-3

Method 
-Wash and soak the peas for 4-5 hrs and then pressure cook it along with a little water for 3-4 whistles.It should be cooked properly without losing it's shape.Once done keep this aside.
-Grind the ingredients under 'to grind' and keep aside.
-Cook the Pumpkin pieces along with 1/4 cup of water ,turmeric powder and the green chillies.
-When cooked add salt and mash it slightly and add the cooked cow peas and mix.
-Add the ground coconut paste and mix properly.Keep on flame for a minute and take it out.
-Now heat a frying pan and add oil.Splutter the mustard seeds,then add the red chilly and the curry leaves.Pour this over the Erissery and cover it with a lid for sometime.Serve with Rice.