Pork Masala Curry From The Hills Of Tamil Nadu Is Just What You Need To Impress Your Guests

Palangudis (Adivasis) are the original settlers of Tamil Nadu. They first started inhabiting the hills of the region where the fertile soil and dense forest cover provided them with the food and shelter they required. Here the Palangudis developed agriculture based on the Kurunji type of land. The community sourced honey and potatoes from the hillside and hunted meat to add to their diet.

One of the prized animals during hunts were wild boars and pigs that lived in the forest. Generations later, pork is still widely consumed and considered a delicacy, especially when entertaining esteemed guests.

Today, I am sharing one of the pork recipes of the Palangudis that is both delicious and easy. It uses the rich and fragrant spices commonly found in the area.

Spices from Southern India. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Spices.jpg

Ingredients :

• Pork: 1Kg

• Turmeric powder: 1 teaspoon

• Chilli Powder: 2 teaspoons

• Ginger: 1 inch

• Pepper: 1 teaspoon

• Salt: Required amount

• Onion: 1

• Garam Masala: 2 teaspoons

• Coriander powder: 1 teaspoon

• Tomato: 2 (chopped into pieces)

• Garlic: 4

• Clove: 3

• Cardamom: 2

• Cinnammon: 2

• Vinegar: 4 teaspoon

• Fenugreek: ½ teaspoon

• Mustard: ½ teaspoon

• Jeera: 1 teaspoon

How to cook :

• Cut the washed/cleaned pork into small pieces

• In a mixer add garlic, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, chili powder or dry chili, vinegar or lemon juice, coriander, fennel seeds, fenugreek and mustard. Mix and grind all of these in to a fine paste

• Add the masala paste to the pork meat and marinade

• Pour oil into a pan, add chopped onions and add some salt and fry until the onion turns golden brown.

• Add the chopped onions into the pan along with turmeric powder and fry well.

• Add the pork and masala to the pan. Pour some water and let it boil well.

• If this is being done in a cooker, allow the curry to cook for 8 whistles.

Your delicious Pork Curry is ready!

Medicinal properties :

Pork is said to have many health benefits.

Hair growth : If you soak a pig's trunk in gingelly oil for 7 days, the oil can be later used to massage your hair. It is believed that it leads to good hair growth.

Curing premature graying of hair : Regular application of the same oil is said to cure premature graying.

This article has been created as a part of the Adivasi Awaaz project, with the support of Misereor and Prayog Samaj Sevi Sanstha.