Aavakaaya

Aavakaaya (Telugu: ఆవకాయ) is a variety of Indian pickle popular in South India with its origin in Andhra Pradesh. The main ingredients are mangoes and aavalu (powdered mustard) and a combination of other spices used for pickling.South indians are known to have a deep attachment with these spice-jeweled pickles.Wide range of varieties of pickles are made available in these regions,using mango as their prime ingredient.Besides making these pickles at home,these are also available commercially and are also exported to USA,europe,japan,dubai and many other major countries round the globe.Moreover these pickles are considered to hold a great deal of traditional importance and people consider it as pride of their region in some areas of southern states of Indian peninsula.People of these regions are so attached that it is now almost impossible to disassociate these spicy pickles from their daily lives.

Preparation

Summer is the time when most of the house-holds get busy with the preparation of the pickles,since it is the peak time for availability of raw-mangoes.Raw mangoes, hot oil, chillies and a variety of spices are key ingredients.The process of preparation,storage and serving of these pickles is almost considered to be a ritual. The mangoes  — meticulously chosen by experts, after much due diligence for this pickle — are cut into medium sized pieces approximately 2cmX2cm size using strong and ultra sharp cutters/knives in swift strokes so as not to structurally damage the pieces. These pieces are wiped clean and dry with a well absorbing soft cloth — usually an old sterilized cotton sari with no embroidery, stowed away for this purpose in foresight. They are then pickled with powdered mustard seeds, red chilli powder (dried and powdered or sometimes dried, roasted and powdered), salt, Gingelly Oil and fenugreek (both in whole and powder form); garlic is optional. The mixture matures for four to eight weeks, taking care to periodically mixing the content to ensure uniform marinade. It seems the aroma is divine according to the Telugus.

Popularity

The Telugu people have a legendary affection and/or attachment for Aavakaaya, so much so, there is every danger that Andhra culture may be thought to be incomplete without aavakaaya, which is immortalized by this famous adage in Telugu: When Telugus are faced with the seemingly impossible challenge of choosing between "Ambrosia(amritam)" and "aavakaaya", popular wisdom has it that they would always choose aavakaaya over amritam.

A note on the secret recipe for the best Aavakaaya in the whole world/universe. Jiddu Krishnamurti used to say, "There is only one most beautiful baby, every mother has it". Every Telugu granny has it (the recipe).

Varieties

This pickle is very popular in South India, especially in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

There are a wide variety of Mango pickles.

1. Aavakaaya (The default one made with mustard seeds powder)
2. Menthi aavakaaya or Menthikaaya (Includes fenugreek)
3. Nuvvulu aavakaaya (Includes sesame)
4. Maagaya (Made with raw, peeled and unstoned mango)
5. Thokku Maagaya (Maagaya including the mango peel)
6. Thurum Maagaya (Maagaya with grated mango)
7. Uduku Maagaya (Maagaya with boiled rather than raw mango)
8. Bellam Aavakaaya (A sweet variant of Avakaya made with jaggery)
9. Allam Aavakaaya (A spicy variety including ginger-garlic paste)
10. Vellulli Aavakaaya (Aavakaaya with Garlic)
11. Senagala Aavakaaya (Aavakaaya with Bengal Gram or Chana)
12. Yendu aavakaaya (Aavakaaya with pickled, dried mango cubes mildly sweetened with Jaggery)
13. Pulihora Aavakaaya (Aavakaaya with taalimpu(Telugu) called Chaunk in Hindi)
14. Dosa Aavakaya (Mango replaced with a type of dosakaya (cucumber))

Consumption

Steaming hot rice is mixed with Aavakaaya (one or two mango pieces), and ghee (clarified butter) or groundnut oil, and made into handy balls and eaten. Aavakaaya is often eaten with cooked rice and yogurt. Most people prefer to eat it along with Muddapappu (Pigeonpea Dal) and Neyyi (Ghee/Clarified Butter). Some people prefer to eat it within the 1–2 months period of preparation and is called Kottaavakaya.

External links

• - How to make Andhra Avakaya
• Aavakaaya Video Recipe in Telugu Language

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on Aavakaaya