Pongal is a celebration of tradition, harvest, and community. Yet, some exquisite recipes tied to its spirit are fading into obscurity.

Let’s uncover seven forgotten dishes that deserve a place on your festive table this Pongal!

1) Kai Kani Pongal A delightful sweet pongal (a traditional South Indian dish made with rice, lentils, and ghee) made with fruits and vegetables like bananas, mangoes, and jackfruit, Kai Kani Pongal is a vibrant mix of flavours. Once a cherished prasadam (a sacred offering made to deities in Hindu temples or rituals) in Tamil Nadu’s villages, this dish combines the sweetness of fruits and jaggery, offering a wholesome treat, rich in vitamins and nostalgia.

2) Karupatti pongal  swaps sugar for palm jaggery, bringing a rich and earthy flavour to the festive spread. This heritage dish pays homage to Tamil Nadu’s natural sweetener tradition while offering a healthier dessert option. Its warm taste is a reminder of simpler times and the cultural roots.

Credits: Indian curry trail

3) Paal Pongal with Traditional Grains Paal (milk) pongal gets a nutritious upgrade with millets like samai (little millet) or varagu (kodo millet). These ancient grains, once staples before rice dominated, make this milk-based dish light yet fulfilling. Perfect for a health-conscious celebration, it’s a nod to Tamil Nadu’s millet-based culinary past.

Credits: Sharmis passions

4) Kari Veppilai Sadham' Curry leaf rice, or Kari veppilai sadham, is an aromatic side dish bursting with medicinal goodness. Traditionally made with home-grown curry leaves during Pongal, it’s a fragrant reminder of self-sustaining practices and the vibrant flavours of fresh harvests.

Credits: Food opium

5) Vadai Paruppu This lentil-based accompaniment showcases the abundance of freshly harvested lentils. Vadai paruppu is a rustic dish that pairs beautifully with the Pongal feast. Once a staple on festive menus, it’s slowly being replaced by modern innovations, but its simplicity remains unmatched.

Credits: My food story

6) Manjal Pongal Turmeric, the golden root, shines in Manjal pongal. Infused with turmeric’s warm hue and flavour, this auspicious rice dish honours the harvest of turmeric. It’s a wholesome, medicinal delight that brings colour and health to the festive platter.

Credits: Traditionally modren food

7) Kadamba Kootu A hearty stew made with freshly harvested vegetables, coconut, and spices, Kadamba kootu represents abundance and unity. Often cooked in community kitchens, it embodies the spirit of Pongal, showcasing the richness of Tamil Nadu’s agrarian roots.

Credits: Yummy tummy aarti

These forgotten Pongal recipes remind us of a time when food was a reflection of gratitude and connection to the earth. Let’s bring these dishes back to our celebrations and preserve their legacy for future generations.  Which one will you try first?