MANGO MENASKAI ( KUKKU DA MENASKAI)
“Menaskai” is a traditional dish which is sweet ,tangy & spicy.It is an authentic dish of South Kanara,which is a living proof of the epic love affair between coconut & spices.The robust coconut merges with the mellow sweet jaggery & the piquant tartness of the tamarind to produce this finger licking delicious dish called the “Menaskai”. Mangoes,Pineapples are some of the fruits that are added to this irresistable combination to tease your palate & flirt with your senses.The unshakeable faith of the Mangaloreans in the magic of the coconut in all their curries,the tart tamarind & the sweet jaggery playing God mother occasionally in these authentic curries when left on their own & given time,result in this delightful irresistable “Menaskai” which will be a treasure passed on for generations to come.Since Summer is here & so are the mangoes,I used them in my” Menaskai”,the one passed on to me my dearest Grandmom whose cooking was something to die for.
Before I go into the details of the recipe itself,I need to also let in on a secret about eating mangoesthe real authentic way in a curry or otherwise.This “Menaskai” mangoes are certainly not for the faint hearted,nor for those who would like to use a fork or spoon to eat them ( for those fork & spoon eaters specifically I’d request you to kindly step off the nearest cliff!).This curry & the mangoes is genuinely meant for those who can ravish a mango with mouths smeared with pulp sucking on the flesh & the juice running down your arms……if it reaches your elbows then even better:) .The pure,simple unadulterated joy of getting down & dirty lies in authentically devouring these mangoes for that wonderful wholesome experience.Go on & make some long sticky sweet trails with unbridled glee:)
