Padma's Recipes: 4/1/13

Ugadi is the New year festival in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In Maharashtra it is called as Gudi Padwa.

Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit work Yuga (age) and aadi(beginning): "the beginning of a new age". Each year it falls on a different date in the month of March of April and this festival marks as the First day in the New Year. In Karnataka it is very common to share Bevu( Neem) Bella( Jaggery) as Prasad and a very elaborate spread is prepared in many homes which includes Holige or Obbattu as one of the main sweet dish.

In Andhra Pradesh a special mixture is prepared called as Ugadi Pachadi. It is mixture of six tastes called as Shadrachalu which symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of different experience. That is salty, spicy, tangy, bitter, sour and sweet. The significane of making this pachadi is for us to understand that life is a mixture of all emotions, good /bad/happy/sorrow and we have to face each one equally.

In Karnataka it is called as Bevu Bella where fresh neem leaves are mixed with jaggery pieces.

The special mixture called as Ugadi Pachadi consists of

1.Salt - 1/2 tsp - For Saltness( Uvarppu)- To represent scareness
2.Red chilli powder/or Black Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp( Spicy/Hot) ( Kaaram)- To represent Angry
3.Raw Mango - Few cut into small pieces - For Tanginess( Pulippu)- To represent excitement.
4.Neem flowers(or can use Methi seeds) - 2 tsp - For Bitterness( Kasappu)- To represent sorrow.
5.Tamarind( or can use Lemon Juice) - One small lime size- For Sour( Thuvarppu) - To represent Mischieveness.
6.Jaggery(or can use Honey or Sugar) - 2 - 3 tbsp - For Sweetness ( Inippu)- To represent Happiness.

Soak tamarind in water for 20 minutes and extract a dilute pulp . Mix in jaggery until it melts. Add mango pieces, salt and chilli powder. Mix well and add neem flowers. Mix and serve.

Alternate ingredients:-

Some alternatives to the ingredients if the above mentioned ingredients are not available.

Neem flowers can be replaced with neem leaves or dried methi leaves / kasuri methi or methi seeds.

Jaggery can be replaced with sugar, honey or with any chopped/sliced fruits like banana etc.

Chilli powder can be replaced with green chillies or pepper powder.

Tamarind can be replaced with lime/lemon juice.