Andhra style Nilava usirikaya pachadi

Usiri Kaya or the Amla or Gooseberry is one of the seasonal fruits which is rich in anti oxidants.  It has lot of health benefits when it is consumed in any form.. Amla pickle also known as Nilava usiri avakaya or nilava usirikaya pachadi is one of the popular pickle varieties in Andhra and Telengana.  Usirikaya is also called as Nellikaya in Tamil has vitamin C and vitamin A.  The Usirikaya is a seasonal fruit and so it is preserved for use through out the year.  Today in this article you will know about one recipe called as Usirikaya Nilava Pachadi.  It is essentially a dry mix of pounded Usirikaya mixed with salt and turmeric.

Ingredients required :  

• Usirikaya ( Amla ) or Nellikai or Indian gooseberry -  1 Kg
• Salt -  1/3 cup
• Turmeric -  3 table spoons

Method of preparation of Usirikaya Pachadi :

• First examine carefully the gooseberries and discard any that are bruise.  
• Wash them thoroughly
• Wipe them dry with a clean dry cloth and spread them on a newspaper or a cloth and let them dry completely.  You can leave them to dry overnight
• Make sure that your hands are dry. Cut the gooseberries using a knife into small pieces. Discard the seeds
• Roughly grind the pieces with salt and turmeric and see that the texture is grainy and not smooth
• Transfer the Usirikaya Nilava pachadi into a clean, dry and air tight glass container
• After 3 to 4 days you can start using it to make Usirikaya Pachadi.

Using  Usirikaya Pachadi :

There are many ways to use Usirikaya Nilava Pachadi. Here is a simple recipe for making Usirikaya Pachadi that you can relish with rice and ghee.

Ingredients required:

• Fresh Kothimira ( Coriander leaves )  -  2 cups
• Green chillies -  5 to 7 
• Usirikaya Nilava pachadi -  3 to 4 table spoons
• Oil -  1 table spoon
• Mustard seeds -  1/2 tsp
• Red chillies -  3 nos
• Salt to taste ( if required )

Method of using Usirikaya pachadi :

• First grind the coriander, Usirikaya nilava pachadi and the green chillies together with little water into a chutney
• Add salt if required and mix well.  Remember that the Usirikaya nilava pachadi has lot of salt in it
• Heat the oil and add mustard seeds and wait till then splutter
• Add split red chillies and saute for few seconda
• Add to the usirikaya pachadi and mix well

Serve Usirikaya pachadi with hot steaming rice and ghee..

If you want to know about more Indian recipes,  you can visit my other blog on Indian Recipes.