In Tamil Nadu, India, the fruit is consumed directly, or as cooked food like Sundaikkai Sambar, Sundaikkai Poriyal, Sundaikkai Aviyal & Sundaikkai Pulikulambu. After soaking in curd and drying, the final product is fried in oil as Sundaikkai vattral (available in all Tamil Nadu supermarkets), it is famous all around in Tamil Nadu. In siddha medicine one of the traditional systems of India Sundaivattral Choornam is used to improve digestion.( wiki)
Sundakkai is called as Turkey berry in English. It has extraordinary medicinal values which can cure many diseases. Turkey berry is a green colored fruit with bitter taste, it can be used fresh or in dried form as vathal. Turkey berries (sundakkai) have the ability to kill the germs, helps in controlling diabetes, gastric problems and when consumed on daily basis helps in strengthening the bones and nerves.
Ingredients:
Onions - 1
Tomatoes - 1
Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup
Turkey berry / Sundakkai, deseeded - 1 cup
Tamarind extract - 1/2 cup
Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
Curry leaves - Few
Full Red chilly - 1
Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Curry masala powder - 1 teaspoon
chilly powder - 1 teaspoon
Salt - to taste
Cooking oil, preferably gingelly oil
Method:
Wash sundakkai and remove its stem. Crush each sundakkai in a motor and Pestle so that they open.
Wash them again and keep aside. Let some seeds be there but don't wash too much also.
Soak tamarind in water and take pulp.Keep aside.
In a kadai heat some oil and saute onions, Tomato, ginger and garlic. once they are soft remove from gas. when cool grind in a mixer and keep aside.
In the same kadai add sundakkai / turkey berries and saute for a minute. Add tamarind extract, required water, salt and cook until berries are done. Add the curry Masala powder, Turmeric Powder, Asafoeitida powder, chilly Powder and ground onion -tomato paste. Grind coconut and add that also.
Sundakkai kulambu ready......:) This will be slightly bitter but tastes good and is a healthy dish.
Recipe Courtesy: Mrs.Ramathai, Coimbatore.
