Sizzling Tastebuds

Manthakkali Kozhambu | Black night shade berry in tangy tamarind sauce

Manthakkali / Milagu Thakkali / Black night shade berry – these are different names given to the berry that goes by the botanical name of Solanum Nigrum. Both the leaves as well as the berries (dried / fresh) are used for their healing properties. my paati (grandmom) used to make a quick stir fry with the leaves and also add fried manthakkali vathal to be mixed with hot steamed rice and salt to cure any stomach related ailments, especially mouth ulcers and those caused by deficiency of vit C. My MIL made this Manthakkali Kozhambu for me after my marriage, and although I have never asked her for the exact recipe, I make it often as S likes it to have it for  a pathyam (detox) diet. This kozhambu also serves as deworming medicine for young and old alike. Perfect for the winter and a great detox after a heavy meal. Sending this to Gayathri’s Walk through Memory Lane & Cooking Challenge – Tamilnadu by Vidhya. 

Pin

Prep time :10 mins

Cooking time : 15 mins

Serves : 2

Ingredients:

  • Manthakkali – dried – 1/4 cup
  • Oil – 2 TBSP
  • Salt – to taste
  • Kuzhambu Powder – 2 tsp (See notes for details)
  • Asafoetida  – a generous pinch
  • Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Tamarind – 1 gooseberry sized roundel
  • Tempering : Oil (1 tsp) + Mustard seeds + curry leaves

Notes:

PinIf you dont have ready made Kuzhambu powder, roast separately & grind the following ingredients  for a quick kuzhambu powder (immediate use & for proportion of above ingredients only) : Toor Dal – 1 TBSP, Red Chillies – 2, Jeera (Cumin) – 1 TBSP, Milagu (black pepper) – 1/2 tsp, Dhaniya (dry coriander seeds) – 1/2 tsp

Method:

1) Wipe the dried berries (vathal) with a soft white cloth.

2) In a pan, heat the oil and fry these berries till then turn crisp and transfer to a plate.

3) Meanwhile wash and soak the tamarind in 2 cups of hot water for 10 mins and extract the pulp.

4) In the same hot pan, add the sambhar powder, tempering ingredients and saute till the masala powder seeps into the oil. When the mustard stops spluttering, add the tamarind pulp, asafoetida, salt, requisite water (approx 3 cups) and bring to a rolling boil. Now add the fried Manthakkali berries and cook again.

5) If you want the kuzhambu thicker, mix 1 tsp of rice flour in 2 tsp of water and add to the boiling kuzhambu. Cook covered for further 3 – 5 mins and serve hot with steamed rice, a dollop ghee and sutta appalam (roasted Urad dal papad). 

Pin

SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER

14 Comments

  1. Gayathri Kumar

    Kulambu looks absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for linking…

  2. Looks delicious..U have made it perfectly..Yummy

    Aarthi
    http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/

  3. That is such a loved comfort food at my home during the rainy season Kalyani. looks yummmm

  4. Priya Sreeram

    aaha- makes me all nostalgic- remember mom making this, mixing with rice, and literally feeding us on sunday nights ! good one

  5. superb delicious and yummy !!

    Ongoing Event – CC-Chocolate Fest

  6. Sensible Vegetarian

    I love this one with curd rice. Yours looks so tempting.

  7. looks delicious and tempting clicks ….

  8. Looks Delicious 🙂 and clicks look awesome..

  9. Looks Delicious 🙂 and clicks look awesome..

  10. Deeps @ Naughty Curry

    never seen or heard of this berry… going to ask atmy local market for it. do u know the hindi name for it?

  11. Deeps @ Naughty Curry

    never seen or heard of this berry… going to ask atmy local market for it. do u know the hindi name for it?

  12. Never heard of this Berry, will explore and try your recipe…

    -Mythreyi
    Yum! Yum! Yum!

  13. @ Deeps, Mythreyi – this is called Black night shade in English or Makoy in Hindi.. you would get it at most South Indian stores. Ask for Vathal form of these berries.

  14. Nice site of Recipes, definitively would like to refer .
    giftwithlove.com

Thanks so much for dropping by.
We would love to hear how you liked this recipe.
Do take a moment to rate this recipe and leave a comment.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*