Coconut-Avalo (Gooseberry/ Nellikayi/ Amla) Chutney with Avalo Gratings.

“Coconut-Avalo (Gooseberry/ Nellikayi/ Amla) Chutney with Avalo Gratings” … amlas are loaded with nutrients and are richest natural source of vitamin C which not only helps in improving ones digestion but also gives relief from acidity … It is believed to be good for common cold as it boosts the immunity levels … Nutritionist now advice eating them on daily basis either fresh, pickled, dried, powder or sweetened form … and there are many varieties of chutney/s that can be prepared using them and reaping in health benefits … here is a delicious crunchy chutney that tastes best with spiced rice dishes or parathas … this is a must in my home when amla season starts on … Yummilicious … 

** Amla ie Gooseberry/ Nellikayi, Avalo needs no introduction as all are not only aware of its health benefits but sure to be preparing it at home in some form. Remember those childhood days when they were available in small size which we quietly carried hidden in our school bags along with some salt and relished it with friends during free intervals. Those were the days when we enjoyed them for their tangy taste making faces while eating them and had them as we loved them. At least me, I was ignorant of its health benefits. Thanks to technology we now have access to fb, internet and google etc. at our finger tips just a click away, and we get so much information on all topics needed. Being high in Vit. C and other nutrients these are good for health and recommended to be had on daily basis. 

** These are trying times with the pandemic going on for almost 7 months now and most of the population being home bound trying to cope up with difficulties of life. Many have lost jobs and there is scarcity of food for some, nobody knows what’s in store for future. While during the starting phase people where cautions somewhere over time we see people being careless too, to them I can only say this that one should never play with fire, water, wind or nature. It is always better to be cautious, than have regressions later. So take good care of yourself and your family, you may loose on time, money etc. now but life is much more precious and if you maintain your health all these can be earned back once things turn back to normal. Here is a delicious chutney that can be included into your menu that is good for health. 

** Here is my very own recipe for preparing “Coconut-Avalo (Gooseberry/ Nellikayi/ Amla) Chutney with Avalo Gratings” … My Style … 

** The recipe is very simple : Wash and wipe about 4 large sized Avalo (Gooseberry/ Nellikayi/ Amla). Grate it on a large holed grated and keep it aside. Add one cup of freshly grated coconut (soyi/ nariyal) into a mixer grinder along with 3-4 green chillies (hari mirchi/ tarni mirsanga) and half of the grated avalo and grind to a smooth paste adding just little bit of water. Remove the ground mixture into a bowl and add in the remaining grated avalo kept aside, salt (namak/ meeta) to taste and mix well. Check consistency and add in boiled and cooled water if need only. 

** For Tempering/ Seasoning : Heat 1 tsp of coconut oil (nariyal tel, narlel tela), when hot lower the heat and add in 1 tsp of mustard (sasam/ rai) seeds, when they begin to splutter add in large pinch of hing (asafoetida) powder and 8-10 curry leaves (kadipatta/ karbevu) and stir fry for few seconds and then pour over the prepared and kept aside chutney and mix well. Cover and keep it aside for 10 minutes for the flavors to get infused into the chutney and it is then ready to be served. 

** “Coconut-Avalo (Gooseberry/ Nellikayi/ Amla) Chutney with Avalo Gratings” is done and ready to be served. You can serve this with any dosa, idly, paratha, roti of your choice and it goes well. You can also serve it spiced rice items like pulav, puliyogere, chitranna, mustard rice etc. as it goes very well with the same. I served ti with Idlies this time for lunch along with vegetable sambar, however I love to relish this chutney with amla or raw mango chitranna too as it tastes wonderful with the same. Do try it out and relish it with family and friends. 

** Note : You can increase or decrease the green chillies as per the spice level of the chillies and your family taste. You can also add in more or less of avalo/ amla depending upon its tangy taste as they differe from place to place. Again, you can use any other oil for seasoning of your choice though I always use and suggest coconut oil. And finally a little bit about addition of hing, if you have the gummy hing that which is prepared into water which we Konkani’s always prepare cand keep called hing uddaka, you can add 1 tsp of the same too if you have it but remember to do not add any to seasoning. And above all use either boiled and cooled water/water from purifier while preparing chutney or those dishes that are not heated.