Aswin’s Nellikai (Amla) Thokku

Description

Aswin’s Nellikai (Amla) Thokku, a spicy and yummy pickle made with grated gooseberry, red chili, mustard and fenugreek powder. The method of making Thokku is slightly different from making Pickle (though Thokku is also a type of pickle). In Thokku, we usually grate the fruit/vegetable and cook them in the oil with required spices whereas in Pickle we add the spices directly in the cut vegetable/fruit. There are few other differences, but this is one of the key difference. Fresh gooseberries we can get in most of the Indian Vegetable shops. For the Indians who live in abroad, we don’t even get fresh gooseberry most of the times in Indian vegetable shops. So we have left with no choice of getting frozen gooseberry.

Like Lemon pickle and mango pickle, this Nellikai thokku (Amla Achar) is also one of the traditional pickle variety made in Southern India. Amla is an excellent source of Vitamin C and E. It increases immunity and fights off free radicals. It is beneficial in preventing aging, cancer and cell damage. However, this fruit is slightly sour in taste, but it leaves sweetness in the mouth after eating it raw. It is very healthy and has the power to control many ailments.