Easy Sweet Tomato Chutney Recipe for Summer Meals
During the summer months, many women often find themselves pondering what to cook. The usual vegetables like bottle gourd, potatoes, cauliflower, and ridge gourd can become monotonous. Introducing something new alongside these veggies can enhance the meal's flavor and stimulate appetite.
Why Make Sweet Tomato Chutney?
Sometimes, we buy tomatoes in bulk at a low price, which can lead to spoilage. In such cases, preparing sweet tomato chutney is a great solution. This chutney is not only simple to make but also incredibly delicious. You can store it in the refrigerator for several days.
You don’t need many ingredients to prepare this chutney. You can easily make it with items already available in your kitchen.
• 250 grams of ripe tomatoes
• 50 grams of sugar or jaggery
• Tempering: dried red chili, cumin seeds, fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Oil and salt to taste
Steps to Prepare Sweet Tomato Chutney
Start by washing the tomatoes thoroughly with clean water. Then, chop them into small pieces. Heat a pan on the stove and add a little oil. Once the oil is hot, add the dried red chili, cumin seeds, and fennel seeds for tempering. The addition of fennel and cumin will significantly enhance the chutney's flavor.
After the spices are cooked, add the chopped tomatoes along with a pinch of salt. This will help the tomatoes cook faster. Allow it to simmer for a while, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes become soft.
Once the tomatoes are well-cooked, add sugar or jaggery according to your taste. If using jaggery, you can mix in the cardamom powder once it melts. If you’re not a fan of cardamom, feel free to skip it. Turn off the heat once done.
Transfer the chutney to a serving bowl. It pairs wonderfully with hot parathas, rotis, or puris. This chutney is also a great option for travel or for kids' lunchboxes.
Conclusion
This chutney is particularly popular in Indian households as it can be used as a dietary dish instead of vegetables. Children especially enjoy the sweet and tangy flavor. Making sweet tomato chutney at home is quite simple and rewarding.