Manathakkali vathal kuzhambu recipe, Vatha kuzhambu

Manathakkali vathal kuzhambu/ Vatha kuzhambu is a very traditional dish of Tamil Nadu prepared by cooking dried vegetable manathakkali (also called black night shade in english) in spicy and and tangy tamarind extract. This vathal kuzhambu is very tasty with unique flavors compared to the regular kuzhambu due to the vathal/ dried vegetable and also due to sesame oil which is again a key ingredient to its taste. This kuzhambu can be prepared either with sambar powder/ vathal kuzhambu powder both yielding in same taste. This kuzhambu can be prepared with various dried veggies like dried mango, dried onion, dried vendakkai/ ladies finger and dried sundakkai/ turkey berry. This kuzhambu is again a simple and quick recipe that can be easily made even by beginners. So lets get to the making!

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Ingredients

Manathakkali vathal – 2 tbsp
Onion – 1 (thinly sliced)
Tamarind – lemon size
Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
Sambar powder – 1 tbsp
Salt – to taste
Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
Cumin seeds – ¼ tsp
Fenugreek seeds – ¼ tsp
Curry leaves – a spring
Sesame oil – 1 ½ tbsp

Note

* 1 cup = 160 ml

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How to make Manathakkali vathal kuzhambu with step by step images

Soak tamarind in 2 cups of water. Extract tamarind juice and discard the pulp.
Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, when it splutters add cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds, after it crackles add curry leaves and thinly sliced onion. Saute well.
Now add manathakkali vathal to the sauteed onions and fry them for few seconds.
Now add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, sambar powder and salt. Mix well and add tamarind extract. Mix everything well and allow the mixture to boil well in medium flame.
When oil separates in the sides and when the kuzhambu turns thick in consistency put off the flame and serve it hot with rice!