Traditional Dishes With Ginger – My Encounter With ‘ginger’

Traditional Dishes with Ginger: A Taste of India Love ginger? Explore classic Indian dishes featuring its bold flavor! Discover ginger chutneys, spicy buttermilk drinks, and more – all bursting with tradition. Learn how to incorporate ginger into your own meals!

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Once, every month, my mother prepares, ginger chutney, especially for lunch. And it would be consumed within an hour, during our midday meal.

Varieties of ginger chutney

Till date, I have come across three types of homemade ginger chutneys. The allam pacchadi (ginger chutney is referred so in Telugu), which my mother prepares, which is perishable and remains fresh for only one to two days. This chutney does not need seasoning.

Traditional Dishes With Ginger - My Encounter With 'ginger' - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers

Allam Pachadi (Ginger Pickle/ Thokku)

Allam Pachadi is the all time favorite side dish for anything on your plate. This is an authentic pickle/chutney/thokku of Andhra Pradesh with a divine taste.
Will tickle your taste buds with its exotic spicy, tangy and sweet flavours. We lived in Vijayawada during my first few years of schooling and my mom learnt it then. This is her signature recipe.
Check out this recipe

The other variety, which my mother-in-law prepares, is similar to pickle. This ginger chutney aka pickle, remains fresh for 3-6 months. Yes, this is true and it tastes heavenly.

Traditional Dishes With Ginger - My Encounter With 'ginger' - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers

Turmeric Ginger Chili Pickle

Recipe by Neeru Srikanth
Fresh turmeric pickle is an age old recipe passed to me from my mom and grand mom. In Singapore we get it almost throughout the year. However I don’t know for which dishes it has been used. Fresh Turmeric, ginger, green chili is mixed with salt,mustard powder, lemon juice and little oil. The pickle is then left to be marinated for a day before consuming it. It goes very well with curd rice, roti’s & paratha’s. We used to make in India only after Pongal as we purchase them only during that time. Infact we buy at home only during that time in India. After the festival this pickle is made. Turmeric is has myriad of health benefits and having them in our food every day is good to improve our immunity. Ginger helps in digestion. You may adjust the spice levels by adding as many chili’s as you want. Lemon is a must and do not ignore it as it gives a very good taste to this pickle.
Check out this recipe

The third type is, again a perishable variety, with seasoning, which is my version.

Aha, spicy and tangy ginger chutney – the simple ginger chutney, spruces up a simple and sober bowl of rice, too!

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This chutney can be mixed with rice and a dab of oil, or can be used as an accompaniment for idlis and dosas. It is sure to tempt and tantalize your taste buds. The piquant tones of ginger are simply accentuated by the spiciness of the red chillies and the mild sweetness of jaggery in this ‘pacchadi’. (Chutney is referred as pacchadi in Telugu.)

Traditional Dishes With Ginger - My Encounter With 'ginger' - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers

The Piquantly Spiced Ginger Chutney

Recipe by Aparna Parinam
The piquant tones of ginger are simply accentuated by the spiciness of the red chillies and the mild sweetness of jaggery in this "pacchadi" or ginger chutney. (Chutney is referred as pacchadi in Telugu.)
Check out this recipe

Above all, I love the spicy, piquant, sweet and mildly bitter taste of ginger. Some of the traditional Andhra dishes which ‘must’ incorporate this spice are:

  • Tangy buttermilk kadi (majjiga pulusu in Telugu): a mildly spiced stew with ginger and green chillies made with buttermilk. It is seasoned with mustard and asafetida. It acts as a cooling aid and is mixed with rice and savored, during lunch, especially during the summers.
Traditional Dishes With Ginger - My Encounter With 'ginger' - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers

Gummadikaya Majjiga Pulusu / Kumbalakai Majjige Huli

Gummadikaya majjiga pulusu / Kumbalakai majjige huli
Check out this recipe
  • In Karnataka, buttermilk is flavored with slices of ginger and green chilies. This is served with rice and other accompaniments for lunch. My brother who lives in Mangalore introduced this type of commonly ‘flavored buttermilk’, to us. And my father is hooked to this, now!
Traditional Dishes With Ginger - My Encounter With 'ginger' - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers

Katrazhai Neer Moru/ Aloe Vera Buttermilk

Recipe by Mehek Desai
Neer Moru is a spicy buttermilk drink which is very popular in South Indian household. It is even prepared for the occasions like Sri Rama Navami and Sumangali Pooja.
Katrazhai Neer Moru is a traditional refreshing summer drink which is made out of curd, Aloe Vera along with flavourful spices and herbs!
This delicious Katrazhai Neer Moru is packed with many flavours, reduces the body heat and highly nutritious.
Check out this recipe
  • Also, I love to drink ginger flavored tea, especially during the rainy season and chilly winters. Ah! True warmth and divine satisfaction in a cup!
Traditional Dishes With Ginger - My Encounter With 'ginger' - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers

Honey-Ginger Tea

Herbal tea is made by steeping flowers, seeds, roots, herbs, or spices in boiling water, allowing the aroma and taste of these ingredients to infuse the water. Unlike black, green, white, or yellow tea, herbal teas are completely caffeine-free.
If you want to start your day without caffeine, consider switching to herbal teas, which can be easily made at home.
At Plattershare, we will be sharing a series of herbal tea recipes that can be enjoyed any time of the day. They are especially beneficial when consumed after meals, as they aid in faster digestion.
Herbal teas are also recommended for soothing sore throats. Here is the first recipe in the series: Honey-Ginger-Tulsi Herbal Tea.
Check out this recipe

Some Interesting Facts About Ginger

  • Ginger is a rhizome, not a root. A rhizome is an underground stem that sends out roots and shoots. Ginger’s bumpy, “knobby” appearance is due to the buds or “eyes” where new shoots can grow.
  • It’s a close relative of turmeric and cardamom. All three belong to the Zingiberaceae family, known for their spicy and aromatic properties.
  • Ginger originated in Southeast Asia. India is currently the world’s largest producer of ginger, but it’s cultivated in many tropical regions around the world.
  • Ginger has a long history of medicinal use. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginger has been used for over 2,000 years to treat nausea, indigestion, and pain.
  • Ginger contains beneficial bioactive compounds. These compounds, including gingerol, are thought to be responsible for ginger’s medicinal properties. Gingerol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Traditional Dishes With Ginger - My Encounter With 'ginger'
  • Ginger is a versatile ingredient. It can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or juiced. It’s a common ingredient in Asian cuisine, but it’s also used in many other parts of the world. Ginger is used in sweet and savory dishes, drinks, and even desserts!
  • Ginger can help relieve nausea. Studies have shown that ginger can be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, morning sickness, and chemotherapy.
  • Ginger may help reduce inflammation. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties may be helpful for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Ginger may help lower blood sugar levels. Some studies suggest that ginger may help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
  • Ginger may help improve cholesterol levels. Ginger may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Did you know?

India reigns supreme as the world’s largest ginger producer! This fragrant root thrives in India’s warm climate, making it a staple ingredient in countless delicious dishes.

Ginger is a safe and healthy spice that can be enjoyed by most people. If you’re looking for a way to add some flavor and health benefits to your diet, consider adding ginger to your meals!

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Aparna Parinam
Aparna Parinam

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