Aavakaaya

Aavakaaya ( _te. ఆవకాయ) is a variety of Indian pickle popular in South India with its origin in Andhra Pradesh. The main ingredients are raw, fully mature, fibrous, very sour mangoes and "aavalu" (powdered mustard) and a combination of other spices used for pickling.

Preparation

The raw mangoes chosen for this pickle need to have a very meaty, sour mesocarp (the pulp/flesh of the fruit) with a strong bond with an even tougher endocarp. They are deftly cut into small pieces using strong and ultra sharp cutters/knives. The cutting process should not disturb the strong bond between the mesocarp and the endocarp. The ones with dislodged/shaken seed covers are kept aside for other use. They are typically cut lengthwise in one fluent motion and then halved lengthwise again, before being cut into the required size. The chopped mangos are wiped clean with a wet cloth/washed and completely dried. They are then pickled with powdered mustard seeds, red chilli powder (dried and powdered or sometimes dried, roasted and powdered), salt, sesame oil and a mixture of turmeric and fenugreek (both in whole and powder form).The mixture is then allowed to mature for over four to eight weeks, taking care to periodically mixing the content to ensure uniform marinade.Avakaya is so popular there is famous saying in Telugu. "Telugu vaadini Amrutham kaavalaa lekapothe Avakaya Kaavala Ante Rendo alochana lekunda Avaakaya Kavaali ani Antaadu" [ Translation: If any Telugu Person had to make One and Only Choice between "Immortal drink (Amrutham)" and "Avakaya" He always picks Avakaya without any second Thought] . That is kind of Affection & Attachment they have with Avakaya.

Varieties

This pickle is very popular in South India, especially in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. There are a wide variety of Mango pickles.
#Aavakaaya (The default one made with mustard seeds powder)
#Menthu aavakaaya (Includes fenugreek)
#Nuvvulu aavakaaya (Includes sesame)
#Maagaya (Made with raw, peeled and unstoned mango)
#Thokku Maagaya ("Maagaya" including the mango peel)
#Thurum Maagaya ("Maagaya" with grated mango)
#Uduku Maagaya ("Maagaya" with boiled rather than raw mango)
#Bellam Aavakaaya (A sweet variant of Avakaya made with jaggery)
#Allam Aavakaaya (A spicy variety including ginger-garlic paste)
#Vellulli Aavakaaya ("Aavakaaya" with Garlic)
#Senagala Aavakaaya ("Aavakaaya" with Bengal Gram or Chana)

Consumption

Steaming hot steamed rice is mixed with Aavakaaya (one or two mango pieces), cooked Pigeon pea paste and ghee or groundnut oil (clarified butter), and made into handy balls and eaten. Aavakaaya is often eaten with cooked rice and yoghurt.