nalAmudhu Sun Dried Black Nightshade | Sun Berries | Manathakali Vathal Fryums 200 g

Scientific name of Manathakkali is Solanum nigrum. It is usually called as black nightshade in English. In Tamilnadu it is known as manathakkali or milagu thakkali. As its ripe berries look like pepper (milagu).

Spicy Tamil style vathal kuzhambu

how to make manathakkali vatha kuzhambu

First, we will fry the manathakkali. Take a pan and add three tablespoons of oil. Add in the manathakkali and saute on a low flame for a minute. The berries will puff up and start to change color. Remove from heat and set aside in a bowl along with the oil left.

Now, we will make a fresh masala paste for the vatha kuzhambu. Here is what you will need. Use very little fenugreek seeds as they are very bitter. Also, you can skip adding the garlic in masala paste if you do not want a strong garlic flavour in the vatha kuzhambu.

Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan and add in all the ingredients for the masala paste. Saute on a very low flame for 3-4 minutes. Sauteing on a low flame is important as you do not want to burn the lentils. Sauteing on a low flame nicely roasts and browns the ingredients.

Grind the roasted ingredients along with half a cup of water to a smooth paste. Set aside.

Soak a gooseberry size tamarind (about two inch strip) in a cup of water for 20 minutes.

Squeeze and extract the p ulp. Discard the seeds and the pith. Set aside.

Now we will make the manathakkali vatha kuzhambu.

Heat peanut oil / sesame oil in a pan (Be generous with oil) and add in the mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds and curry leaves. Let the mustard seeds crackle. Add in the garlic. Saute for a minute.

Add in the chopped tomatoes and the salt. Saute for 2-3 minutes

Add in the masala powders and the jaggery.

Note: If you cannot source kuzhambu milagai thool / powder, you can substitute sambar powder or curry powder. “Kuzhambu milagai thool” is a curry powder used in Tamil households and can be sourced from a south Indian grocery store. If you don't have “kuzhambu milagai thool”, use store bought curry powder or sambar powder. Let the curry simmer for 5minutes