A Cooling Food to beat the heat of Summer
THAMBULI – A delicious , nutritious and cooling food from Karnataka .
Years ago when I visited the Portland Farmers Market I happened to taste Gazpacho, a chilled food served in sealed cups similar to popular Summer favourites like Fruit Yogurt and Ice cream . The first spoon of Vegetable Gazpacho gave a jolt to my taste buds which were all set to relish a sweet dish ! But in no time they were enjoying the novel taste and were craving for more ! The taste and flavour reminded me of a Summer Coolant called Thambuli ( Thampu meaning cool + Huli is gravy or soup in Kannada language ) prepared back home to beat the heat of Summer .
Thambuli is a no cooking dish and is prepared by blending vegetables , herbs, coconut and spice with thick Curds . Started this Summer with this nutritious Cucumber Thambuli with added vegetables .
INGREDIENTS
Cucumber ( Medium size ) – 1
Coconut gratings – 1/2 Cup
Green chillies – 2
Coriander leaves ( Chopped) – 1/2 bunch
Fresh ginger grated ( Optional ) – 1 tsp
Pink Himalayan Salt – 1/4 tsp
Thick Curds – 1 1/2 Cups
Chopped and Steamed Vegetables of your choice – 1/2 Cup
( I used Carrots , Snake gourd and Pumpkin )
Coconut oil – 1 tsp
Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves – a few
METHOD
1. Steam cook the chopped vegetables with a dash of salt and set them aside to cool down .
2. Wash and cut Cucumber into cubes .
3. Blend the Cucumber cubes , chopped Coriander , Coconut , Green chillies , Ginger and salt together in a mixer . Add the thick Curds and blend together quickly for only a few seconds .
4. Pour the Cucumber Thambuli in a bowl and stir in the steamed vegetables .
5. Splutter the cumin seeds and curry leaves in warm coconut oil and pour the seasoning on the Thambuli.
Relish with steaming hot rice , or refrigerate and have it as a cold snack similar to Gazpocho and stay cool this Summer .
