Glossary

Tamil: Chepangkezhangu
Telugu : Chamagedda

Starchy tuberous root vegetable

Tamil: Ellu
Hindi: Til

Sesame seeds, also called bennes or gingellies, are black or white and yield an oil that resists turning rancid. The oil is used extensively in India for cooking, soap manufacture, food, and medicine and as an adulterant for olive oil.

Tamil: Elumichampazham
Telugu: Nimapandu
Hindi: Nimbu

This bright yellow/green citrus fruit is oval in shape, with a pronounced bulge on the blossom end. The flesh is juicy and acidic. They can range in size from that of a large egg to that of a small grapefruit. Some have thin skins while others have very thick rinds, which are used to make candied lemon peel. Lemons/limes are available year-round with a peak during the summer months. Should be firm, plump and heavy for their size. Depending on their condition when purchased, they can be refrigerated in a plastic bag for 2 to 3 weeks.

Hindi: badi elaichi

larger & darker than the green cardamom

Tamil: elakka
Hindi: elaichi

Cardamom is known as the queen of spices. Cardamom pods were chewed as a mouth refresher from ancient times in India. Cardamoms are dried fruits of the ginger family. Each cardamom pod contains several dark brown seeds which contains all the flavour.Several varieties of cardamom are grown in India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The fat green pods grown in Kerala, South India are considered the best in the world. Green cardamom is available in the pod form or as a powder. The whole pod stores better and retains the aroma of the seeds. Both Indian savouries and sweets are flavoured with cardamom. This fragrant spice is used in rich, red curries and milk based desserts. In India, tea and coffee are sometimes spiked with cardamom. Around the world, green cardamom is used in spiced cakes and breads.

Brown cardamom pods are larger than green cardamoms in size and are hairy. In fact, they look like tiny fibrous coconuts. Brown cardamom is medicinal in flavour. In India, it is used only in savouries, especially to flavour rice dishes like biryani. Along with green cardamom, it is an essential ingredient in garam masala (which is a blend of mixed spices). The seeds of the green cardamom are powdered, so they can be added to desserts to desserts and into garam masala.

American: Eggplant
Tamil: kathirikkai
Telugu: vankaya
Hindi: baingan

It is an elongated or rounded vegetable with a smooth, shiny, purple skin covering a light firm flesh. A white variety also exists. Aubergines are available in many shapes. They can be long and cylindrical, plump and oval, rounded and small or elongated.Aubergines have a low energy value (30 calories per 100 grams) and are rich in potassium and calcium. The larger and older fruits have more seeds. The aubergine has a pronouned flavour