Manipur Ooti Green Peas Watery Mashed Manipuri Festival

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh or frozen green peas
• 2 tbsp jaggery or sugar — to taste
• 1/4 tsp black salt
• A pinch of regular salt
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 green chilli — very finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander

Method

1. If using frozen peas thaw completely. If using fresh peas shell them.
2. Boil the peas in 2 cups water for 5 to 6 minutes until very soft.
3. Do not drain — keep all the cooking water.
4. Transfer the peas and their cooking water to a bowl.
5. Mash very coarsely — some peas whole, some mashed — the ooti should be soupy with visible pea pieces.
6. Add jaggery or sugar. Stir until dissolved.
7. Add black salt, a pinch of regular salt and lemon juice. Stir.
8. Taste — ooti is a complex sweet-sour-spicy-salty preparation.
9. The balance of these flavours is what makes it distinctive.
10. Add very finely chopped green chilli and fresh coriander.
11. Serve warm or at room temperature in small cups.