Chundakkai Vathal - with salt -100 gms

Product Description: Chundakkai Vathal (சுண்டைக்காய் வத்தல்) refers to sun-dried turkey berries (also known as pea eggplant). Small, slightly bitter turkey berries are typically soaked in a buttermilk and salt solution (sometimes with turmeric) before being spread out to dry under the sun. This process reduces their bitterness and preserves them, resulting in a shriveled, dark-colored product that becomes crispy when fried.

Shelf Life and Storage: Properly dried Chundakkai Vathal has a good shelf life, generally lasting for 6 months to a year when stored correctly. It is crucial to store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from moisture. Ensuring they are fully dried before storing is especially important in humid climate to prevent spoilage.

Nutritional Values: Sundakkai (turkey berries) are known to be a good source of iron, fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, and antioxidants. The drying process concentrates some of these nutrients. The buttermilk soaking and salting process adds calcium and sodium to the final product.

Ideas for Dishes: Chundakkai Vathal is a popular ingredient in South Indian cuisine. The most common use is to fry them until crisp and add them to vathal kuzhambu, a tangy tamarind-based gravy, where they provide a unique slightly bitter flavor and crunchy texture. They are also a favored accompaniment to rice dishes like curd rice and sambar rice. Some also enjoy them as a simple, crunchy snack after frying.