30) AVNAASA SASAM

AVNAASA SASAM

A KONKANI PINEAPPLE DESSERT

Ingredients:

1)    Ripe pineapple peeled and diced – ½ kg.

2)    Ripe apples – 200 gm.

3)    Ripe mangoes – 200 gm.

4)    Sweet grapes of mixed varieties – 200 gm.

5)    Sugar – 200 gm.

6)    Fresh coconut – 1

7)    Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon

8)    Kashmiri red chilies – 4 Nos.

9)    Salt to taste

To Cook:

Peel and dice the pineapple in ¾ inch pieces. Do not use the pith / pseudo stem portions of the pineapple as it is fibrous and chewy. Remove the seed core of the apples and dice into pieces of similar size. peel the mangoes and dice the flesh likewise. Soak the grapes for half an hour in water mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar to leech out the pesticides in the skins. Drain and wash well.

Put all the fruits in a bowl, tip in the sugar and a pinch of salt. Mix and set aside to marinate. Scrape or grate the coconut and put it in the food processor. Add the mustard seeds and chilies. Add 200 ml of drinking water and grind to fine paste (drinking water is used because this dessert is not meant to be cooked). Add the paste to the marinated fruits in the bowl. Mix and taste. Add more sugar or seasoning if you wish. Refrigerate for half an hour. Your delicious Avnaasa Saasam is beckoning you. Serve cooled. You can also top it up- with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Garnish with a cherry or berries.

Enjoy!!!