Thoothuvalai Rasam, A Spicy South Indian Food To Keep Cold And Cough At Bay

Thoothuvalai, commonly known as purple-fruited eggplant, serves not only as a culinary delight but also holds medicinal significance. This versatile plant, found in South India, is revered for its therapeutic properties, with its leaves, flowers, fruits, and stems being utilized in traditional medicine to address various health issues. Cultivated in gardens across the region, thoothuvalai finds its way into local recipes, including kulambhu, thuvaiyal, soup, and the renowned thoothuvalai rasam.

Thoothuvalai rasam, a popular preparation, gains particular prominence during the winter or rainy seasons for its reputed effectiveness in treating colds and coughs. Reportedly, this authentic and medicinal rasam boasts a hot and spicy flavour profile, providing instant relief from cold, cough, sneezing, headache, and fever. This traditional South Indian remedy can be easily prepared at home, enjoyed with white rice or consumed as a soothing soup.

Ingredients:

Thoothuvalai Spinach: 1 cup

Garlic: 6 cloves

Onion: 6

Tamarind: Lemon size

Dry Chilli: 2

Asafoetida: 1/2 tsp

Mustard: 1/2 tsp

Tomato: 3

Turmeric Powder: 1/4 tsp

Pepper: 1 tbsp

Cumin: 1 tbsp

Ghee: 2 tsp

Curry leaves

Coriander

Recipe for Thoothuvalai Rasam:

Begin by washing and cleaning the thoothuvalai spinach. In a pan, add ghee, dry the spinach, and sauté them.

In a separate vessel, boil 2 glasses of water. While boiling, incorporate the tamarind solution and ground tomato paste.

Add turmeric powder, crushed garlic, and spring onions to the mixture. Grind the mixture, boil it well, and then add salt.

In another pan, add ghee for seasoning. Add mustard, cumin, dry chillies, and asafoetida powder. Pour this into the mixture.

Finally, add coriander leaves to the final mixture. The thuthuvalai rasam is now ready to be savoured.

This aromatic and flavorful rasam serves as a therapeutic delight, suitable for both adults and children seeking relief from common cold and cough ailments. Its easy preparation and wholesome ingredients make it a go-to remedy in South Indian households, showcasing the seamless blend of culinary tradition and holistic wellness.