Page 27 - Pastiche Vol 1 Edition 1 January 2019

During Kanu Pidi, women and young girls feed birds and pray for their brothers' well being.
As part of the ritual, women and girls place a feast of colored rice, cooked vegetables, banana
and sweet pongal on ginger or turmeric leaves for crows to share and enjoy. During this time,
women offer prayers in the hope that brother-sister ties remain forever strong as they do in
a crow family.

The Fourth Day/Kaanum Pongal
The Fourth day is known as Knau or Kannum Pongal day marks the end of Pongal festivities
for the year. On this day, the leftovers of sweet Pongal and Venn Pongal, ordinary rice as well
as rice colored red and yellow, betel leaves, betel nuts, two pieces of sugarcane, turmeric
leaves, and plantains are served on a turmeric leaf and is then placed on the ground. Arati is
performed for the brothers with turmeric water, limestone and rice, and this water is
sprinkled on the kolam in front of the house.

Many families hold reunions on this day. Brothers pay special tribute to their married sisters
by giving gifts as affirmation of their filial love. Landlords present gifts of food, clothes and
money to their tenants. Villagers visit relatives and friends while in the cities people flock to
beaches and theme parks with their families.

SWEET PONGAL RECIPE
Preparation Time : 10 mins;
Cooking Time : 50 to 60 mins
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:
Raw Rice– 1 cup
Yellow Moong Dal– 1/4 cup
Milk – 4 cups
Jaggery– 2 cup or to taste (grated)
Cashews – 3 tblspn
Raisin– 3 tblspn
Cardamom– 5 pods
Green gram (split)
Ghee – ¼ cup
Coconut – ½ cup (optional)

Method:
Roast moong dal in 1tsp of ghee - Add rice to it and soak for around 15 mins.
Boil it in a pot along with milk for 30-45 mins on low flame.
Mix jaggery into 1 cup of water and pour this jaggery water over the cooked rice and dal
through a sieve and mix well.
Fry cashews, raisin and cardamom in ghee till cashews turn light golden.
Add the fry with rice and stir well. Cook for 5 mins on a low flame.
Add grated coconut and mix well.
Sweet Pongal is ready to serve.

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