Easter in Kerala

Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. Christians typically celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day or Easter Sunday (also Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday), two days after Good Friday and three days after Maundy Thursday. The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between AD 26 and 36, traditionally

The content of Easter was gradually analyzed into historical events and each began to be celebrated on a different day. As a result, Easter grew into a Holy Week and came to have a preparatory season to precede and a festive season to follow. Thus we have four distinct periods in connection with the observance of Easter –

1. Lent, the forty preparatory penitential days.

2. Holy Week including the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

3. The Octave of Easter (classical time for Baptism) and

4. The paschal season or Easter time extending over forty more days.

On Holy Thursday the Lord's supper is held in the evening. The washing of feet is a remarkable trait, emphasizing the love for one another. At home there will be the rite of the paschal bread. After supper, the 'cross cake' is brought out and cut into pieces. A piece is broken, dipped into sauce and handed over to each member of the family in due order. Good Friday is a day of grief when churches are empty and dark. Services are held in the afternoon. In most churches one finds a bitter drink prepared from leaves, vinegar, etc for everyone to taste after the service. Holy Saturday is a day of mourning and wailing. A total silence reigns the church from morning to dusk. But by ten at night the church is full to observe the Easter Vigil. In the gloom which envelops the church, new fire is struck from flint and blessed. A big candle is then consecrated and from it is lighted many candled indicating the resurrection. Bells peal, music fills the air and light floods the hall. Hallelujah is the joyous word of Easter wish. Easter Sunday is a quiet day and the celebrations rather spiritual and inward rather than social and showy. There will be grand dinner at homes and visit of relatives

Vishu Recipe –Payaru Olan (Steamed Vegetables & Whole Pulse)

Ingredients

To Pressure Cook

1 kg white Bopla

4 tbsp Chowli seeds

3 green chillies

Salt to taste

For seasoning

3 tbsp. coconut oil

½ Coconut

Making

Peel and cut white bopla.and add chowli seeds .wash vegetables and pressure cook along with salt and chillies till done .Extract coconut milk and add along with coconut oil and bring to a boil.Serve hot .

Vishu Recipe –Thengai Paal Olan (Steamed Vegetables in Coconut Milk)

Ingredients

To Pressure Cook

1 kg white Bopla

½ kg green pumpkin

50 gms. Chowli beans ( optional)

3 green chillies

Salt to taste

For seasoning

½ Coconut

3 tbsp. coconut oil

Making

Peel and cut white bopla and green pumpkin to big pieces .(4 cm * 4cm pieces, but tin). Cut chowlito 4cm pieces.wash vegetables and pressure cook along with salt and chillies till done .Extract coconut milk and add along with coconut oil and bring to a boil.Serve hot .

Vishu Recipe –Olan (Steamed white pumpkin)

Ingredients

To Pressure Cook

1 kg white Bopla

½ kg green pumpkin

50 gms. Chowli beans ( optional)

3 green chillies

Salt to taste

For seasoning

3 tbsp. coconut oil

Making

Peel and cut white bopla and green pumpkin to big pieces .(4 cm * 4cm pieces, but tin). Cut chowlito 4cm pieces.wash vegetables and pressure cook along with salt and chillies till done .Add coconut oil and bring to a boil.Serve hot .

Vishu Recipes -Keerai chundal (Dry Leafy Vegetable Curry)

Ingredients

3 bundles chowli leaves

½ tsp. turmeric powder

1 ½ tbsp. curry powder

Salt to taste

For seasoning

1 tsp. mustard seeds

2 tsp. black gram dal

2 red chilies (broken)

2 tbsp. oil

Making

Clean, cut and wash chowli leaves. Heat oil and add mustard seeds, black gram dal and red chilies. When brown, add chowli leaves, salt and turmeric powder. Cook on a low fire till done .Add curry powder and cook for a few minutes. Serve hot.

Vishu Recipe -Mendhiya Keerai Chundal (Dry Fenugreek Leaf Curry)

Ingredients

3 bundles methi leaves

2 potatoes

½ tsp. turmeric powder

1 tbsp. curry powder

Juice of 1 lemon

Salt to taste

For seasoning

1 tsp. mustard seeds

2 tsp. black gram dal

2 red chilies (broken)

3 tbsp. oil

Making

Clean, cut and wash methi leaves. Peel and chop potatoes as for finger chips. Proceed as for keerai chundal, in following recipe .Add lemon juice before serving.