Cranberry Vetha Kozhambu
Until a few years ago, I thought that cranberries are sweet and that is why the ubiquitous sweet cranberry sauce during the holiday season. Sweet dishes are not my thing so I didn’t tink about cooking with cranberries. When I realized that cranberries are tart and sour, I was curious to use it in some traditional Indian dishes. The first dish I made was cranberry Vetha Kozhambu. Vetha Kozhambu is a spicy and tangy dish from Tamil Nadu in India. Translated it means ‘ Fried Crisps in Gravy’. Traditionally it’s fried vegetables or fried sundried vegetables or crisps simmered on a tangy and spicy tamarind sauce. The vegetable in my dish was cranberry.
What You Need
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 Tblsp Tamarind extract
- 2 tsp Sambar Powder
- 1 Tblsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp of turmeric
- 1 1/2 Tblsp Rice Flour
- 1 tsp each mustard, Chana dal, fenugreek seeds
- 1/2 tsp of Asafoetida
- 3-4 curry leaves
- 1 dried red chilli
- 2 cups of water
- Salt to taste
How Its Done
- Heat oil in a sauce pan, and add the mustard seeds. When they start to pop, add the asafetida, Chana dal, fenugreek seeds, red chili, curry leaves. Fry for a minute or so, then add the turmeric powder and let it cook for a few seconds
- Now add the cranberries and cook for a couple of minutes, till the cranberries plump up.
- Add the sambar powder and the rice flour and cook till the raw smell of the rice flour is gone.
- At this point, add the tamarind extract and the water and mix. Let this come to a boil, and then simmer for a few minutes till it thickens.
This is perfect to mix with plain rice or spread on a slice of bread, top with sliced cucumbers, or as an accompaniment to idles or dosa. Definitely works and is delish!!
