Thamarai Vathal - 100 gms

**Product Description:** Thamarai Vathal (தாமரை வத்தல்) refers to sun-dried lotus stems. The lotus stems are typically cleaned, sliced into thin rounds or pieces, and sometimes lightly seasoned with salt and turmeric before being spread out to dry under the sun. This process removes moisture, preserves the lotus stem, and results in a light and crispy product when fried.

**Shelf Life and Storage:** Properly dried Thamarai Vathal can have a good shelf life, generally lasting for 6 months to a year if stored correctly. It's important to store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from humidity. 

**Nutritional Values:** Lotus stems are a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, and also contain minerals like potassium, iron, and copper. The drying process concentrates the fiber. They are relatively low in fat and calories.

**Ideas for Dishes:** Thamarai Vathal is primarily used after being deep-fried until crisp. These crispy lotus stem chips are a popular and healthy snack. They can also be served as a crunchy side dish with rice varieties like curd rice, sambar rice, or rasam rice. In some variations, they are added to *vathal kuzhambu* for a unique texture, though this is less common than using other types of vathal. They can also be seasoned with spices after frying for a more flavorful snack.