Aakurache Tonak

Aakurache Tonak (आकूराचे तोंडाक)

Aakur is the edible ferns available in Goa, in rainy season.Tonak means coconut based spicy curry made adding  aakur..lentils..onion.kovale vadyo/sandge....or prawns.. This is the veg version of aakur curry.

Aakurache Tonak (आकूराचे तोंडाक)

Ingredients:

1 bunch of Aakur
1/2 cup White or Green peas
1 big onion finely  + 1 medium thinly sliced
1 cup freshly grated coconut
3-4 cloves/lavang
1/2" cinnamon
 2 to 3 petals of star anise
1/2 tsp fennel seeds/badishep
1 green cardamom
6-8 Peppercorns
1 1/2 tsp Corriander seeds
1 tsp minced  ginger
3 Red chillies -
1tspTurmeric powder
2 tbsp coconut oil
Berry sized Tamarind  ball
Salt to taste

Method:-

Wash and soak peas  overnight.
Pressure cook peas and keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan and fry spices  till the spicy aroma hits you., add red chillies and finally corriander seeds.
Fry sliced onion in the same oil till golden brown.
Add coconut and fry till coconut turns slightly brownish on medium flame.
Grind all the fried ingredients with turmeric powder and tamarind to a fine paste by adding half cup of water.

Meanwhile  chop aakur and discard 1/4part of lower end
In a thick bottomed pan cook aakur  and finely chopped onion by adding sufficient water, when it comes to boil ..add peas  vadyo/sandge and salt, cook for sometime. (When aakur gets cooked, colour will change
Give a boil for 2 min..and put off the flame
Serve hot with pav, bread, chapati etc
Enjoy!