Green Chilli
Green Chilli is an important Ingredient for us.
The tamil name for Green Chilli is "Pachai Milagai".
Green means Pachai and Chilli means Milagai.
In traditional Tamil cooking, pepper was dominant instead of Green Chilli. Pepper is called "Milagu". Since Green Chilli had a similar hot spice taste, the name for Green Chilli got derived as Milagai (from Pepper - Milagu)
Chilli is brought to India from Mexico thru
Portuguese traders at the end of 15th century (wikipedia).
More about Chilli.
In present day, Tamil cuisine and in general Indian cuisine, Green Chilli play a major role.
In Tamil cusine, there are various ways of using "Milagai":
Green Chilli or Raw Chilli:
We use green Green Chilli in making currys, chutneys, omelettes, etc...
Popular dish where Green Chilli is used:
These days Green Chilli is used in almost all dishes whether it is vegetarian or non-vegetarian. There is however a campaign going on to move to pepper instead of Green Chilli as pepper is more healthier. Some of the dishes, where raw Green Chilli makes a great spice or ingredient includes:
omelettes, potato podimas, Mutton fry
Spelling variations in Tamil name for Green Chilli:
Pachai Milagai, Pacchai Mila gai, Pacha Milakai, mulagai