I really can’t believe that we are in the letter ‘T’ already ! I feel like we have just started this A-Z theme based marathon and we have already into the third week !
Anyways, for the letter ‘T’ I made a simple eggless Tutti Frutti cake .But there are already a few recipes posted by my fellow marathoners, so I have pushed it to the drafts and posting this herbal rasam instead……
I usually buy vegetables and fruits from the farmer’s market near my house and once day when I came out of that campus, an elderly person had spread a while cloth on the ground and sat behind it. In front of him, on the cloth were small packets of some greens.
As a foodie, it is only natural that I go and ask him what it was and he promptly replied that it is ‘Thooduvalai’. I have heard about this greens many times but never seen it before. So was tempted to buy a pack which cost INR 10.
After handing over a packet, he even told me how to prepare rasam with it and started explaining the health benefits of this leaf! I just realized that an elderly person from the village side, had more knowledge about the healthy stuff than we people living in the cities!
I have been to the farmer’s market sever times after that trip and I don’t see him there. Maybe comes on those days that I on;t go there or he was there just for that day so that I could buy a pack and try this healthy rasam!
T – Thoodhivalai Rasam / Herbal Rasam
Theme – Misc
Thoodhuvalai leaf looks like this….
And it had plenty of thorns…Can you see them in them in the circled area…
Thooduvalai leaves can be made into chutney/ dip, Kashayam / tonic , Gravy, Powder / spice mixes,soup , dosa etc.The most popular recipe is this rasam.
The other names include –
- Solanum Trilobalum,
- Purple fruited pea eggplant,
- Thai nightshade
- Mothiringnee [Marathi]
- Thooduvalai [Tamil]
- Achuda /agnidamani / Alarka [Sanskrit]
- Tudavalam [Malayalam]
- Alarkapatramu / Kondavuchinta / Mullamusti[Telugu]
- Kakamunji / Ambusondeballi [Kannada]
- Bryhoti[Oriya]
This is a creeper plant and has small bluish-purple flowers.It is used extensively as a herbal medicine.All the parts – leaves, root and flowers are used.
The properties are…
- It is used to treat sore throat, cold and cough
- This plant contains natural steroids.
- It is said have anti microbial,anti fungal and anti tumor activities.
- It relieves the stomach pain caused by heat and flatulence.
- In Siddha medicine, it is believed to be a blood-thinner, hence preventing several diseases and disorders.
- The juice if applied internally is said to treat ear ailments, etc…
- Pressure cook the dhal with enough water and mash well.
- Mix in the tamarind extract, spice mix and keep aside.
- Heat 1 teaspoon ghee in a pan and saute the thoodhuvalai leaves till they shrink,for a couple of minutes.Remove from pan and keep aside.
- In the same pan, add another teaspoon ghee and put in mustard, cumin and curry leaves.
- When the mustard splutters, add the tomato and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Add the dal mixture, salt, asafoetida, turmeric powder, sauteed leaves and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Increase the heat and let it come to a rolling boil.
- Remove from heat and serve as a side dish with steamed rice / as a soup.
Take a look at the Blogging Marathon page to check out what my friends are cooking in this A- Z series…
H– Huo Guo – Misc/ Non Food Post / Restaurant Review
I – Italian Bhel Puri Salad – International / Fusion
K – Kiri bhat and Chilli Sambal – International / Sri Lanka
L–Leprechaun Shake / Shamrock Shake – Misc
M – Mysore Rasam – Regional / Karnataka
N – Nannari Sherbet – Regional / Tamil Nadu
O – Olo Kobi Bhaja – Regional / Odisa
Q– Qahwa Arabaia / Arabian Coffee – International
R– Ragi cupcakes – Baked
S– Savory Semolina – Vegetable Bake – Baked
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Amma makes a quick stir fry with this keerai, rasam looks fabulous..Seriously would love to give a try.
rasam looks fabulous and yummy dear 🙂 a new rasam to me 🙂
I'm glad you decided to share this recipe and your story about the guy at the market- I doubt I'll ever get to buy these leaves but their medicinal properties are fascinating; thanks
New for me…but since it is rasam it ought to be yummy ..right? Nice pics there PJ.
Another interesting leaf!..very nice PJ..I will be bookmarking all these for later use..thanks for the efforts.
Herbal rasam looks yummy ! We are learning about new herbs from you ..thanks!
Such a warm homely dish for cure 🙂 Love it.
I have actually bookmarked you other herbal rasam also (thippili rasam).. This one is also bookmarked.. looks so soothing and flavorful!!
Sowmya
you introduce me to so many different new food items
ITs great that you have shared the pictures of the leaf too. Else the story/recipe is not quite complete, right :)..The rasam looks really good!
looks soooo tempting n very new to me..
Awesome post PJ. It is just like you to bring out such lesser known remedies/ingredients and popularize them 🙂
very beautiful post PJ, you are lucky to stumble upon such greens, but i guess you also have an eye for such things, how did it taste eventually, is it like herbal in taste, and if so..which herb does it come closer too..
Healthy bowl.
Such a healthy & nutritious soup. Love your click with the leaves — very interesting shapes they have.
lovely post…havent tried this rasam as yet…when i do shall refer to this post
Another post where I couldn't even figure out what the main ingredients is. :)You stump me.
I am guessing that is aflavor filled recipe.
Wow this is beautiful. Its new to me. Lucky you.
I love this greens but it is very rare here. Rasam looks very delicious…