Pineapple Menskai

Menskai is a sweet and and sour dish which is speciality of South Kanara especially among Brahmins.

It is common in weddings in SK. I have been making this from past 3 years, yes you heard me right only 3 years and the reason behind it is that I neaver knew the recipe neither did I search anywhere nor did I taste it. Being in South kanara I did not taste it as it was not famous among us Amchis, but now that I have tasted it and have gotten the recipe I try it whenever I have a little sour pineapple.It can be made with raw mangoes or even hog plums. 

Recipe for Pineapple Menskai:

Haf pineapple

1 tbsp coconut fresh or frozen

1 lime sized jaggery or 2 tbsp jaggery

Salt to taste

To Roast :

1 tbsp coriander seeds

1 tbsp urad dal/ black gram dal

1 tsp methi seeds/fenugreek seeds

2 tsp white sesame seeds

15 kashmiri red chillies

For Tempering:

2 tsp oil

½ tsp mustard seeds

Curry leaf 1 sprig 

Method:

Heat a pan and roast the items listed in To Roast one by one and keep aside to cool.

Meanwhile remove the pineapple skin and cut into small cubes.

Now in a mixer grinder/food processor add in the roasted items and coconut and grind it into a nice paste (not too fine nor too coarse).

Take the pineapple cubes in a deep kadai add little water and cook it along with jaggery and salt.

Once the pineapple is cooked add in the ground masala and mix well.

Cook it for next 5 minutes and Switch off the flame and keep the kadai aside.

Heat a small pan add in 2 tsp oil and when oil is heated add in mustard seeds allow it to splutter and then drop in the curry leaves.
Temper it over the Menskai.

Yummy menskai Is ready to serve with hot dal and white rice.

Happy Cooking,