The unprecedented tomato value hike has hit our kitchens laborious. The humble tomato, a staple in Indian cooking, has develop into a luxurious ingredient, leaving many dwelling cooks and cooks grappling with its shortage and rising prices. With the surge in tomato costs, now’s the time to have fun the abundance of different regional substances. Traditional Indian cooking thrives on utilizing contemporary, regionally accessible produce, and this may be a chance to discover them to exchange tomatoes and add pleasant flavours to your desi meals.

Also Read: 7 Indian Gravy Recipes That Don’t Require Tomatoes At All

Here Are 8 Traditional Tangy And Sour Indian Foods That Can Replace Tomatoes:

1. Tamarind:

An evergreen favorite in Indian delicacies, tamarind boasts a uniquely tangy flavour that may effortlessly substitute tomatoes in numerous dishes. Tamarind paste or pulp can be utilized in curries, chutneys, and whilst a base for tangy soups like rasam. Its versatility and pleasant style make it a cherished different. You may make tamarind the star of the dish on this tamarind rice recipe or take pleasure in tamarind prawn curry.

Tamarind is already a well-liked ingredient in Indian recipes.
Photo Credit: iStock

2. Raw Mango:

Make use of the mango season and belief uncooked mangoes so as to add a burst of sourness to your dishes. Add some uncooked mangoes to your curries and infuse a refreshing tartness that may give tomatoes a run for his or her cash.

3. Kokum:

Hailing from the coastal areas of India, kokum is a lesser-known gem that imparts a delicate sourness to dishes. Often utilized in Goan, Konkani, and Maharashtrian cuisines, dried kokum will be soaked, and its flavorful extract is utilized in numerous curries and dals.

4. Dried Mango Powder (Amchur):

Made from inexperienced unripe mangoes, amchur is a tangy spice powder that’s generally utilized in Indian cooking. It’s a beautiful substitute for tomatoes, particularly in aloo curry and chaats.

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5. Gongura:

Gongura paste or powder lends its sturdy sourness to Andhra dishes and makes them style heavenly. Why not use the lip-smacking style of gongura to enliven your dal, hen, and mutton curries when including tomatoes appears to be like troublesome?

Gongura lends a definite flavour to meals.
Photo Credit: iStock

6. Tamarind (Imly) and Jaggery (Gud) Blend:

Blending tamarind pulp with jaggery creates a balanced candy and bitter combination. This distinctive mix is often utilized in regional cuisines, particularly in dishes from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. You can also do this great mixture of candy and tangy flavours in your dishes that may complement the style of the mix.

7. Kachri:

Rajasthani cuisine already makes use of the tangy vegetable kachri (wild melons). It is usually dried and powdered so as to add to non-veg dishes, curries, and even chutneys.

8. Amla (Indian Gooseberry):

Amla, recognized for its excessive vitamin C content material, affords a tangy and barely bitter style. It can be utilized in pickles and chutneys and even included into fundamental dishes as a souring agent.

Also Read: Tomato Price Hike Bothering You? Try These 6 Alternatives

Let’s enterprise into our kitchens with open minds and adventurous palates, able to discover the tantalizing potentialities that these conventional gems can convey to our meals. It’s important to know the distinctive traits of every ingredient and experiment with proportions to realize the specified flavours. Happy tomato-free cooking!