ongal is a traditional South Indian dish typically made during the harvest festival of Pongal, which celebrates the abundance of the season. It's a flavorful and comforting dish made primarily with rice and lentils, often seasoned with spices like cumin, black pepper, ginger, and curry leaves.
When using raw rice for Pongal, typically a short-grain variety like Ponni rice or Sona Masoori rice is preferred. These varieties cook up soft and fluffy, perfect for a dish like Pongal. Raw rice is usually washed and then cooked with lentils until soft and mushy, resulting in a creamy texture.