Tomato Nilava Pachadi | Andhra Tomato Pickle

Tomato Nilava Pachadi is a tangy, spicy tomato pickle made in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana that can be preserved at room temperature for a few months. It is served with Idlis, Dosa, or then rice.

📝 Ingredients

• 1/2 Kg Firm Red Tomatoes ((About 5 Large Ones))
• 25 gms Tamarind, Chintapandu ((~ 2" ball); See Notes)
• 25 gms Chilli Powder ((1/4 Cup))
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1.5 tbsp Salt
• 2 tbsp Oil
• 2 tsp Mustard Seeds ((10 gms))
• 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds ((5 gms))
• 1/4 Cup Sesame Oil, Nuvvula Nune
• 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds, Avalu
• 4 Red Chillies, Endu Mirapakaya
• 1/2 tsp Asafoetida, Hing, Inguva

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Making the Spice Powder ---
2. 2Over medium heat, dry roast the fenugreek seeds till they start to change colour and become aromatic. Transfer into a plate.
3. 3Over medium heat, dry roast the mustard seeds till they start to crackle. Add to the roasted fenugreek seeds.
4. 4Let the roasted seeds cool completely and then powder them.
5. 5--- Cooking the Tomato ---
6. 6Chop the tomatoes into 1/2" pieces.
7. 7In a large pan, over medium flame, heat 3 tbsp of sesame oil.
8. 8Add the tomatoes pieces and stir-fry occasionally.
9. 9Once the tomato pieces soften a bit, add the tamarind.
10. 10Over medium heat, let the tomato and tamarind cook till the tomato pieces are completely stewed. Stir every 2 or 2 minutes.
11. 11Take off the heat and the let the cooked tomato-tamarind mix cool completely.
12. 12When the mix is cool, grind to a coarse paste.
13. 13--- Getting the Tempering Ready ---
14. 14Over medium flame, heat 1/4 cup oil.
15. 15Add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds and wait till they crackle.
16. 16Add the red chillies and asafoetida.
17. 17Turn off the heat and let the oil cool to room temperature.
18. 18--- Mixing the Tomato Pickle ---
19. 19To a large enough bowl, mix the chilli powder, turmeric, salt, and mustard+fenugreek powder.
20. 20Add the ground tomato paste and mix well.
21. 21Add the cool, tempering with all the oil and mix well.
22. 22Store in an air-tight and dry glass bottle.