Vatha Kuzhambu is a traditional South Indian dish that originates from the Tamil Nadu region. This tangy and spicy tamarind-based gravy is known for its unique blend of flavors and aromatic spices. It is typically prepared with sun-dried vegetables, such as turkey berry (sundakkai), manathakkali (black nightshade), or even dried okra. The dish is often served as a main course with steamed rice and accompanied by side dishes like appalam, vadams, or thogayal.
Vatha Kuzhambu is a flavorful South Indian tamarind-based curry that combines a variety of spices and textures. To prepare it, start by soaking tamarind in water and extracting about two cups of juice. Puree medium-sized tomatoes and set aside. In a kadai, heat oil and add mustard seeds, allowing them to pop. Then, add fenugreek and asafoetida, frying them on low heat until golden brown to avoid bitterness. Incorporate red chili and curry leaves, followed by sautéing onions and garlic. Stir in sambar powder and turmeric before adding the tamarind juice and salt, simmering until the mixture thickens and oil surfaces. Optionally, a piece of jaggery can be added for sweetness. In a separate pan, fry vathal (dried vegetables) until crisp, then mix into the kuzhambu. Finally, drizzle a bit of oil on top before serving. This dish is typically enjoyed with rice and offers a tangy and spicy flavor profile.
Vatha Kuzhambu Recipe
Vatha Kuzhambu
6
servings15
minutes15
minutesThis tangy gravy is made with onion, garlic, tamarind and vathal. It is served with rice and also is a best side dish for curd rice.
Ingredients
Tamarind – lemon size
Vathal (Manathakkali Vathal or Sundakkai vathal) – 1 tablespoon
Sambar onion (shallot) – 10 to 15
Garlic flakes – 10 – 15
Tomato – 1
Sambar powder – 1 tablespoon (heaped)
Turmeric powder – ¼ teaspoon
Salt – 1 teaspoon or as per taste
Gingelly oil – 4 to 5 tablespoons
Mustard – ½ teaspoon
Fenugreek seeds – ½ teaspoon
Asafoetida Powder- 1/4 teaspoon
Red Chilli – 1
Curry leaves – few
Jaggery – a small piece (optional)
Directions
- Soak tamarind in water and squeeze out the juice completely by adding water little by little. The tamarind juice should be at least 2 cups.
- Cut the tomato into medium size pieces and grind it to a puree.
- In a kadai add two tablespoons oil and when it is hot add mustard.
- When it pops up add fenugreek and asafoetida. Keep the flame to very low. (Otherwise fenugreek will become black and taste very bitter). Fry the fenugreek till it become light golden brown.
- Add red chilli and curry leaves.
- Add onions and garlic flakes. Fry for a while.
- Add sambar powder, turmeric powder and fry for few seconds.
- Now add tamarind juice and salt. Stir well. Close with lid and allow to boil on medium flame until the oil floats on top and the kuzhambu become thick.
- If you like, add a small piece of jaggery now.
- In a tadka pan put two teaspoons of oil and when it is hot add the Vathal and fry till it is crisp.
- Add this fried vathal to the boiling kuzhambu and mix well.
- Switch off the stove. Add one or two teaspoons of oil on top of the kuzhambu.
Recipe Video
Notes
- I used Manathakkali Vathal in this Kuzhambu. Sundakkai Vathal or mix of both Manathakkali and sundakkai vathal can also be used.
- The vathal can be added at the beginning along with the mustard and other seasoning also.
- Use only Gingelly oil to get the authentic taste.
How the gravy will be thick without adding tomatoes or coconut? I made your milagu kuzhambu recipe and it turned out to be very watery. Give some tips to make it thick.
Hi Priscilla,
For Milagu Kuzhambu or vathal kuzhambu, you have to make thick tamarind juice. When you add seasoning and other ingredients and allow to boil the tamarind water, it will automatically become thick. Still if you feel the kuzhambu is watery, just mix a teaspoon of rice flour with little water and add it to the kuzhambu. Then the kuzhambu become thick.
this is a watery dish. if you want to make it strong, you may cook udad dal and add.
How to prepare sambar powder
Hi Renga,
I have already posted recipe for sambar powder, both homemade and bulk. Please check under category “Masala Powders”.
finaly u will add 1/2 teaspoon of black sesame powder (Karuppu Yallu) the taste will come more
Good information. Thank you.
Hello Kamala, Awesome recipes as always. I am a regular visitor to ur website. With this recipe here when do we add the vatha kuzhambu powder? Tx and please do add more gravies and south Indian style biriyani
Sambar powder is added to this kuzhambu. No vatha kuzhambu powder.