Thakkali Thokku / Tomato Pickle

Tomato thokku  

This thakkali thokku is very very simple to make. Anybody can make it. Cooking the tomatoes will take little time, but once you prepare this pickle, then you can have it for weeks.  The ingredients I have given is only for 5 to 6 tomatoes. It only gives you about 8 to 10 spoons of pickle. Dont expect a bottle of pickle with 6 tomatoes The amount of pickle shown in the picture is from 6 tomatoes.

Ingredients

Tomato – 5 to 6
Fenu greek /Vendayam – 1 tsp
Asafoetida a pinch
Tamarind paste – 1 tsp
Red chilly powder – 1 tbsp
Mustard – 2 tsps
Gingelly oil / Sesame oil – 6 tbsps

Method

1. Wash and cut the tomatoes and grind them along with tamarind. Pour this into a pan and cook until the water evaporates .
2. Fry fenu greek and asafoetida in a tsp of oil until brown and powder it.
3. Heat 6 tbsps of oil, pop mustard. Now add the cooked tomato mixture, add chilly powder, fenugreek powder and enough salt.
4. Cook until oil separetes out from the pickle. Turn off the heat and cool the pickle.
Store in a air tight container and enjoy with Idly, Dosai and even with white rice.
This can be store in the refrigerator for many weeks like any other pickle.

Variations
* You can also add garlic – 4 to 5 pods (paste or whole ones). If using whole garlic pods fry it in the oil slightly, after you pop the mustard and also do the same for the garlic paste.
* You can also add green chillies . If using green chillies reduce the amount of red chilly powder.
* Finally shallot onions too.
There is no rules and regulations for cooking, do it in your own way and enjoy the spring !!