Raw Amla (Gooseberry) Chutney

Indian Amla or gooseberry is a pale green fruit. It is round in shape and smooth in texture. This fruit is astringent in taste; when you take a bite of this fruit and as soon as your saliva comes in contact with it, it leaves a sweet taste in your mouth.

However, there is another variety (star gooseberry and in konkani it is known as "Raaj Aavalo") which is smaller in size but very sour to taste. And as kids, we used to eat them with salt and chilly powder and actually relish them! Apparently this variety has no medicinal value.

This recipe was recently given to me by my aunt. It was so simple, that I tried it immediately. It was an instant hit at home. So I thought of sharing this with you all.

As you all know that amlas are a good source of vitamin C and has various health benefits too.

Like all “amchis” (term used for Konkani speaking people) I generally put them in brine (salted water) and use them whenever possible for preparing “Saaru” or “Gojju”. I have observed that amla is now available throughout the year at least in Karnataka.

Amla Chutney

Raw Amlas (Gooseberries)

Ingredients:

Amlas (Gooseberries)	3 medium
Lime juice	1 tsp
Grind together:
Coconut (grated)	1 tbsp
Green chilly	1
Coriander leaves	A small bunch
Salt	As per taste
Seasoning ingredients:
Oil	1 tsp
Mustard seeds	½ tsp
Curry leaves	1 sprig

Method:

1. Wash the Amlas and pat dry them with a kitchen towel. Grate the amlas in a bowl. Add lime juice to it. Mix well and keep aside. (Discard the seeds of the amlas).
2. Grind together all the four ingredients mentioned above (coconut, chilly, coriander leaves and salt) into a smooth paste.
3. Add this ground paste to the grated amlas and mix well.
4. Heat a small pan. In it add oil, and mustard seeds and when the mustard seeds starts to splutter, add the curry leaves. Remove from flame and pour the contents on to the amla mixture.
5. Mix well and serve.

Note:

This chutney goes well with rice and sambhar or rice and dal or with chapattis too.

It also tastes good in sandwiches.

Link to pictures of Star gooseberry:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toni_uni/sets/72157613777861857/detail/