Pachadi is a traditional South Indian condiment or side dish that is made with yogurt (curd) as its base and typically includes vegetables, fruits, or even lentils. It’s often served as a part of a meal alongside rice and other main dishes. Pachadi can be mildly spiced or quite fiery, depending on the recipe and personal preference. Here’s a basic recipe for making a cucumber pachadi:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated cucumber
- 1 cup plain yogurt (curd)
- 1 tablespoon grated coconut (fresh or desiccated)
- 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust according to spice preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- A few curry leaves
- 2 teaspoons oil
- Salt to taste
Optional for tempering (tadka):
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1-2 dried red chilies
- A few curry leaves
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the grated cucumber, plain yogurt, grated coconut, chopped green chilies, and salt. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Heat oil in a small pan for tempering. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Allow them to splutter.
- Add a pinch of asafoetida and curry leaves to the tempering. Stir briefly, then remove from heat.
- Pour the tempering over the cucumber-yogurt mixture and mix well.
- Adjust salt and spice levels according to taste.
- Serve cucumber pachadi chilled or at room temperature as a side dish with rice or any main course of your choice.
Variations:
- You can use other vegetables or fruits like carrot, beetroot, pineapple, or mango instead of cucumber to make different varieties of pachadi.
- Some recipes call for grinding coconut, green chilies, and mustard seeds together into a paste before adding to the yogurt mixture.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a tadka (tempering) of mustard seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves to the pachadi.
Pachadi is not only delicious but also provides a cooling contrast to spicy main dishes in a South Indian meal. Adjust the ingredients and spices according to your taste preferences and enjoy this versatile condiment with your favorite dishes!
