Green chillies
American : Jalapeno
Tamil : Pacha milagai
Telugu : Pachi miripikaya
Hindi : Hari mirch
There are more than 300 varieties of chillies. They vary in length from 5mm to over 300mm, some are long and narrow and others plump and globular and they vary in heat from mildly warm to mouth-blisteringly hot. All contain capsaicin, a biologically active ingredient beneficial to the respiratory system, blood pressure and heart. It is claimed to be effective in protecting against cancer. The chilli is a rich source of vitamin C, even more so than the lemon or orange. Even after cooking it only loses 30 percent of its vitamin C.
Walnut
The fruit of the walnut tree. Shelled walnuts should be plump, meaty and crisp; shriveled nutmeats are past their prime.They should be refrigerated, tightly covered, up to 6 months. They can be frozen up to a year.
Bean
Tamil : Mochai
Hindi: Lilva
This is available in the fresh and dried variety like peas. Used in sundals and sambhars
Dried vegetables
Tamil: vathal
The most common vathals are manathakkali, sundakkai. You can even use moong dal vathal (Hindi : moongwadi) or the likes.
Rock Candy
Tamil : Kalkandu
Hindi : Mishri
A hard confection that is made by cooling a concentrated sugar syrup into large clear crystals around a piece of string or a stick.
Tomato
Tamil : Thakkali
Hindi : Tamatar
Choose firm, well-shaped tomatoes. They should be free from blemishes, heavy for their size and give slightly to palm pressure. Ripe tomatoes should be stored at room temperature and used within a few days. They should never be refrigerated-cold temperatures make the flesh pulpy.
Buttermilk
Tamil : More
Telugu : Majiga
Hindi : Lassi
The liquid that remains after the butterfat has been removed from milk/cream by churning
Wheat Flour
Tamil : Gothumai maavu
Hindi : Atta
Ground wheat used to make chapatis, parathas.
