Ingredients in Konkani Cooking
December 15, 2014
As I reach the completion of my book on Konkani Cooking I have had fun finding out more about all the more unusual ingredients used in this cuisine. Right now I have mentioned most of the scientific names and some common names of these ingredients ( also in 10 languages in the glossary of the book) but I'd be grateful for any other insights readers may have about the following:
Spices primarily used :
- Black pepper
- Fenugreek
- Red chillies For example a.Byadgi b. Birds eye, c. Kashmiri chillies
- Asafetida
- Turmeric
- Mustard seed
- Cumin
Secondary Spices used:
1.Teppal, Tirphal, trephal, Sichuan pepper
2. Coriander
3. Khus Khus
4.Cloves
5.Cinnamon
6.Bay leaf/ Tej patta (different from Cassia leaf/bay leaf in the west)
7. Cardamon Black and green
B.Herbs
Green coriander
Green Mango
Curry leaf
Mango Ginger/ aamhaldi
Ginger
Garlic
C. Souring agents used in Konkani food for example
1.Bilimbi fruit of the Avarrhoa Bilimbi tree , also known as cucumber tree or tree sorrel. bilimbi,Irumban Puli,Chemmeen Puli,Bimbul, Orkkaapuli.A very acid fruit sometimes eaten raw as a relish. Mostly dried in salt and used as a souring agent in Konkani food.
2.Carambola/ Karmbal also known as starfruit is the fruit of the Carmabola Avarhhoa tree,
3 Tamarind
4.Kokum
5.Mango pith
D.Vegetables, fruit and flowers used in Konkani Cuisine
Coconut- Coconut tree. Called Kalpavriksh in Konkani cooking
Gourds- ash gourd*, snake gourd, bitter gourd, teasel gourd, Ridge gourd, Bottle gourd, *
Malabar Cucumber , Magge
Chayote, Chow chow
Yam, kook, Chinese potato, Wild potato
Sweet potato
Banana, flower, pith and fruit
Drumstick , flower and leaves and fruit
Colocasia, leaves and corms
Breadfruit, /Neer phanas
Hog Plums/ Ambada
Wood apple ( note this is not Bel Phal)
Tender cashewnuts,
Jackfruit, fruit and seeds
Pumpkin, flowers and fruit
Gooseberries /Amla
Karmbal /Star fruit
Gulla or Matti Gulla ( green aubergine)
Greens- Brahmi leaves/Ekpani/Gotu Kola
Venti
Vaali
Thotakoora
Malabar Spinach
Tender Bamboo shoots
E.Lentils /peas
Cow peas
Horse Gram/ Kulith/
Besides, Green gram, Black gram, Pigeon Peas and Red lentils
F.Fish
Common fish used in Konkani cooking- For example
Lady fish
Shark Ambotik
Rock fish
Do write in with any other local names of ingredients in order to help identify it for other users and also any personal or unusual way in which you clean, cut or cook any of the uncommon ones.
Thanks!