Vellarikai Khara Pachadi
(Spicy Cucumber chutney) is another dish from my Paati's (maternal grandmom) stable. Spicy to
the core, and relished with hot rice and ghee / nallennai (sesame oil) , this is one of the favourite
accompaniments.
And for some reason, I had totally forgotten this for quite
some time, till a basketful of cucumbers landed in the refrigerator last week.
Well I did make Kosumalli (Salads) and also Cucumber pickle (recipe here!), but
then was lost for ideas, till mom reminded me on the phone. And boy, was I both
ecstatic and impatient to make this.
Amma gave me the recipe,and it came out
well. For the scorching summers, this is one yummy side dish that never fails
whichever part of the year.
Also, do check out the 20+ Chutney varieties on the blog to go with Idli / Dosa/ Pongal
And paired with
yummy Curd rice, we had this for
dinner. Even kiddo who is sceptical about new dishes (especially non baked
ones) had this for a yummy filling meal. Traditionally, this dish is really
spicy, so adjust the spice for your kitchen.
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Prep time - 10 mins
Cook time - 10 mins (To roast the ingredients)
Serves - 3
Difficulty level - Easy
Serving suggestions - Steamed
rice / Curd Rice
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Ingredients:
- Tender Cucumbers - 2 medium sized (See Notes below)
- Salt - to taste
- Tempering : oil (½ tsp), Mustard seeds, Curry leaves
For the masala paste:
- Grated coconut - ¼ cup
- Channa Dal - 2 TBSP
- Red chillies - 3 nos
- Oil - 1 TBSP
- Asafoetida - a generous pinch (skip for GF)
- Tamarind - small gooseberry sized
- Jaggery - ½ tsp
- Jeera / Cumin - ½ tsp
- Dry Coriander seeds - 1 heaped TBSP
Method:
1) In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. On medium heat, roast the channa
dal, red chillies. Set aside. In the remaining oil, fry the
dry coriander seeds, cumin, tamarind. Turn off the heat and add to the roasted
dals-chillies. Add the grated coconut to the warm pan and saute for 1 min. Cool thoroughly.
2) Grind this mixture (without salt) but with coconut and asafoetida to
a very thick paste.
3) Meanwhile, wash and peel cucumber. Dice into small tiny bits like you
would do forKosambari / Kosumalli (Indian cucumber salad). Mix the paste into the
cucumbers till the masala paste coats the vegetable well. Do not add salt at
this stage too.
4) Prepare the tempering. Once mustard splutters and curry leaves get
slightly crisp, add to the chutney and mix well. Just before serving, add salt,
mix well and serve immediately.
Notes:
1) This dish tastes very well with very tender cucumbers.
2) If the cucumbers are not very tender, ensure to deseed the core, and
then use the flesh only.
3) This dish does not keep well for more than a day, even with
refreigeration. Use the pachadi immediately.
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
Very new recipe kalyani!!! never made spicy chutney with cucumber!!! Looks yum!!!!
chef and her kitchen says
we too make this..we replace chana dal wid chutney dal for easy version
chef and her kitchen says
we too make this..we replace chana dal wid chutney dal for easy version
vaishali sabnani says
sounds delicious.The flavors are interesting.
Gayathri Kumar says
Very new to me. Pachadi looks very nice...
The Pumpkin Farm says
wow khara pachadi...will go well with curd rice or khichdi.looks sizzling
Champa says
This is something very new and nice.
Priya Suresh says
Very tempting and yummy chutney,very new for me..
Nalini's Kitchen says
Sounds new to me,looks tempting dear...
Jayanthi says
Very new to me and I love the pachadi color...awesome. I guess it can accompany many dishes because its spicy. Bookmarked it.
Sangeetha M says
very new n interesting recipe Kalyani...looks hot! will try it sometime...
Harini R says
never say no to chutney!
FewMinute Wonders says
I have not done much cooking with cucumber. This is an interesting recipe.
Anzz says
A very new recipe but looks absolutely divine..! 🙂
Chef Mireille says
unique chutney...looks yummy!
Cool Lassi(e) says
Awesome spicy chutney!
Srivalli says
That's a good one!
Pavani says
Tangy & yummy chutney..
Vardhini says
Different chutney ..
Vardhini
CooksJoy
Suma Gandlur says
This is a different one than our regular version. Bookmarked. 🙂
Archana says
New to me. Must try it out. Sounds very yummmy.
Aarthi says
yummy pachadi
Saraswathi Ganeshan says
New to me and sound interesting. Will try it soon..Thanks for linking.
Saras
Kitchen Chronicles ~ Heirloom Recipes
rajani says
A new recipe for me.Looks nice 🙂