Pongal

Introduction

Hi everyone! Welcome to my Kupuna Project page. My name is Kritheeka and I am a student at UH Manoa studying Microbiology. I was born in the UK and have grown up mostly in the states, but my parents are from India. Most of my family live in India so I have spent a lot of time in India and feel very close to the culture.

I am excited to share with you a very special dish from the South Indian state Tamil Nadu. Pongal is the name of one of the largest festivals in Tamil Nadu and is called the "harvest festival". The focus of the four-day festival is to thank nature for all that it provides and to bring families together. The festival's main dish, also called pongal, is prepared in many different ways during the four days. My Kupuna is my Mother and she will be explaining the activities of each day of the festival and how to make Venn Pongal, the type of pongal made on the second day of the festival. Pongal is consumed all year round, but this particular festival celebrates the start of the harvest season so the dish is the center of the celebration. Pongal can be consumed by itself or with other side dishes depending on the type of Pongal. There are also sweet pongals that are made with milk, cardamom, and jaggery, a type of unrefined cane sugar.

I love eating pongal, but I also love the idea of celebrating and giving thanks to the earth for everything it provides for humans. It is important to respect the earth and to also show the younger generations the importance of thankfulness, family, and the harvest. I have never been in India during the celebration of pongal but I enjoy listening to my mother's fond memories of being with her family during this time. Pongal is also a popular dish that is served at weddings so I have many memories of eating pongal off of a banana leaf in India.

Images of Pongal

My Kupuna Project: Pongal

My Kupuna is my mother and she is explaining the festival and dish called Pongal. In the beginning of the video she explains what happens on each day of the festival, and afterwards she explains and shows how to prepare the dish. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Serving per the recipe: 4

Calories per serving: ~260

Total Nutritional Value for 2 servings

• Fat: 35.97 g
• Carbohydrates: 70.05 g
• Protein: 31.06 g

Health Benefits:

Moong Dhal, is considered a superfood in India and is said to help improve overall health from the inside out. It is believed to be not only a good source of protein but also vitamins. There are claims that it helps lower blood pressure and even helps prevent some types of cancers. Moong Dhal is also said to be good for the sking and is used in face masks.

My Plate & SPC Classification

My Plate: Grains (Rice), Protein (Green Gram/ Moong Dhal) , and Oils (Ghee)

SPC Classification: Starchy Energy Foods and Body Building Foods

Sources

Introduction:

• http://www.pongalfestival.org/pongal-festival.html

Nutritional Information:

• http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods
• https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calories.asp?recipe=2733955
• http://www.thehealthsite.com/fitness/health-benefits-of-green-gram-or-moong-dal/
• https://www.greenmungbeans.com/health-benefits/

My Plate and SPC Classification:

• http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
• Laulima