Mangai Pachadi/Sweet and Sour Mango Chutney

The highlight of Puthandu/Tamil New Year is the 'Mangai Pachadi' ~ a Pachadi/chutney made out of raw mangoes, jaggery, chilli powder and neem flowers, with Arusuvai or six tastes. This signifies all the different aspects of our life. Apart from the special Pachadi, Vadai and Payasam are served with Rice, Sambhar and Rasam.

A delicacy for the New Year’s day in different regions of Tamilnadu and elsewhere in India, this pachadi is made for its significance of Arusuvai. Different recipes are followed and I am blogging the recipe from Athai (mother-in-law) which is a little different from Amma`s procedure with the ingredients being the same.

List of Ingredients:

1. 1 cup jaggery powdered/ crushed  
2. 2 sour mangoes 
3. 1 Teaspoon chilli powder
4. ½Teaspoon neem flowers
5. ½Teaspoon mustard
6. ¼teaspoon salt

Mangai/ Green Mango	Ingredients for Pachadi
Mixed with Chilli Powder & Salt	Cooked Mango in Jaggery Syrup

Procedure:

1. Peel or scrape the skin of the mangoes and make thin slices ( approximately 4 cups).
2. Pressure cook with chilli powder and salt.
3. In a heavy bottomed vessel, melt the jaggery to a thick syrup.Mix the cooked mangoes.
4. Season with mustard and finally add neem flowers.

Serve with Chappati, dosai or rice