Thiruvadirai/Thiruvathirai Thalagam Kootu Recipe

Recipe

Download Thiruvathirai Thalagam Kootu Recipe PDF

The thalagam Kootu is a mixed vegetables stew. It is served along with a sweet called Kali as an offering to Lord Shiva during the festival of Thiruvathirai in Tamil Nadu. This kootu/ stew has different versions on the Internet. Each family has its own version and we will try a unique version.

Ingredients:

*1 Cup – 250 ml

Urad Dal/ Split Black gram - 1/2 tsp

Split Pigeon Peas/ Tuvar Dal - 1/2 tsp

Bengal Gram/ Chana Dal - 1/2 tsp

Coriander Seeds/ Dhaniya - 1/2 tbsp

White Sesame Seeds/ Safed Til - 1 tsp

Dry Red Chillies - Two or Three

Tamarind – Soak it in warm water for juice.

Jaggery – ½ tbsp

Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp

Salt - to taste

Coconut oil – 1 tbsp

Egg Plants – ¼ Cup

Snake Gourd/ Padwal – ¼ Cup

White Pumpkin – ¼ Cup

Yam – ¼ Cup

Red Pumpkin – ¼ Cup

Potatoes – ¼ Cup

Broad Beans – ¼ Cup

Sweet Potatoes – ¼ Cup

Method of Preparation:

• Heat some water in a pan and when water comes to a boil add turmeric powder or haldi. Then add the vegetables that we had already chopped and washed. 
• Now just add sufficient water to cook the vegetables as we do not want to waste the water and we do not want a watery gravy.
• Cover the pan and cook on a low flame.
• In the meanwhile let us prepare to roast the ingredients. For the masala, heat another pan and add a little oil to it. Now add in the chana dal, roast for a few seconds, say about 10 to 15 seconds. Then add in the toor dal and Urad dal. Roast again for a few seconds.
• Add in the coriander seeds or dhaniya. Continue to roast on a very low flame. Now add sesame seeds or Safed til and the red chillies.
• Transfer it to a mixer jar after they have cooled down and grind it to a powder.
• Meanwhile check whether the vegetables are cooked and once done add in some salt and give it a mix. Now add in the tamarind juice and mix it well.
• Bring it to a boil and now add in jaggery. Then add the ground masala that was prepared.
• Mix the masala into it very well. You can use this masala for any other sabzi as well.
• Add in the curry leaves or kadi Patta and now we are done with the vegetables. They have come to a boil.
• Switch off the flame and just add coconut oil in the end, (no tempering is required) and our awesome thalagam kootu is ready.

You can have this even with khichdi or rice. It is not necessary that u have to have this only with this kali.

 Here are five interesting facts about this dish:

1. Symbolic Connection with Lord Shiva

Thiruvathirai Thalagam Kootu is prepared as an offering (neivedyam) to Lord Shiva during the Thiruvathirai festival, which celebrates his cosmic dance, known as the Ananda Tandavam. The dish's multiple vegetables represent the unity and diversity of creation.

2. Unique Mix of Vegetables

The kootu is made with a mix of 7 or 9 different root vegetables (depending on tradition), such as yam, pumpkin, ash gourd, sweet potato, raw banana, and colocasia. This variety symbolizes abundance and prosperity.

3. No Onions or Garlic

As it is a festive dish, Thalagam Kootu adheres to saatvik (pure) cooking principles, which exclude onions and garlic. Instead, its flavor comes from a freshly ground spice paste made of coconut, cumin, and red chilies.

4. Paired with Sweet Kali

Thiruvathirai Kali, a sweet dish made from rice, jaggery, and cardamom, is traditionally served alongside Thalagam Kootu. The combination represents a balance of flavors—sweet Kali and mildly spiced Kootu complement each other perfectly.

5. Connection to the Winter Harvest

The dish aligns with the seasonal availability of root vegetables in winter, making it a celebration of the harvest. Thiruvathirai typically falls in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January), a time when these vegetables are plentiful.