Basics of Indian Cooking: Shell and Hull Hyacinth / Lima / Broad Beans (Hitikida Avarekaalu / Mocha Kottai Piddukku Paruppu)

Across India, hyacinth beans are used in many recipes shelled, hulled, dried, coarse ground, In local dialect Kannada hyacinth beans are referred as (avarekalu) ಅವರೆಕಾಳು. In Tamil Mocha Kottai which is added to upma (avrekaalu uppittu) Rice / Akki rotti, Stir fried with Potatoes. 

The outer membrane of the seeds are soaked and hulled after shelling, the inner soft beans is used for a variety of dishes. This form is called hitakubele / Piddukku, which means "Hulled hyacinth bean.

Many places across Tamil nadu, karnataka and Andhra these beans are hulled and used in meat curries, vegetarian curries, spinach curries and rotis, which enhances the flavor and taste of the dish. 

We can find Hyacinth beans through out the year in Bangalore which is sold already hulled, bit pricey but people consume regularly. Best season to by is from September to April. 

 First Step Shell the beans and reserve in a bowl...

Shelled beans can be stored without moisture in the fridge for upto 2 weeks...

Shelled beans without hulling can also be washed dried in sun for 2 to 3 weeks until dried, which can be stored upto 2 years in a airtight container...

To hull the beans easily add water to the beans and soak for upto 5 hours. 

Before hulling water the beans twice and add lukewarm water to hull the beans easily...

Hulled beans can be boiled and preserved in airtight container in the freezer for upto 1 year until use. Hulled beans is replaces in place of dhal and cooked with spinach which is incredibly aromatic and tasty.

 

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Tips:
Normally these beans have worms to eliminate worms spread the beans in sun for 15 to 20 minutes and then start shelling.

Do not buy extremely flat and green shell beans the quantity will be less and the beans will be flat which is not easy to hull and cannot be dried.

Many time people dry the beans with shells and clean it later to achive evenly dried beans. The shell protects the beans from getting to dark or spots while drying.