Glossary

Telugu: Marathi Moggu

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.

Tamil : Mochai
Hindi: Lilva

This is available in the fresh and dried variety like peas. Used in sundals and sambhars

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.

Tamil : More
Telugu : Majiga
Hindi : Lassi

The liquid that remains after the butterfat has been removed from milk/cream by churning

Tamil : Gothumai maavu
Hindi : Atta

Ground wheat used to make chapatis, parathas.

also called drumstick
Tamil : Murungakai
Telugu : Munakaya

The immature green pods are most used part of the tree. The leaves are highly nutritious, being a significant source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, protein, iron and potassium. The flowers are also cooked and relished as a delicacy.The green pods are cooked and the pulp inside is scraped out and eaten with the seeds.

Tamil : Pattani
Hindi : Mutter

Peas are seeds.Their colour varies from white to cream, green, yellow, or brown. they can be found fresh, frozen, canned or dry as edible peas. Dry peas may be split or ground

Tamil : Madulampazham
Hindi : Anardhana

An ancient fruit that is normally eaten raw or squeezed into a juice. In India it is also dried and used as a souring agent in curries

American: Chayote
Tamil: Bangalore kathirikkai

Roughly pear shaped, somewhat flattened and with coarse wrinkles. It has a thin green skin fused with the white flesh, and a single large flattened pip. The flesh has a fairly bland taste, and a texture described as a cross between a potato and a cucumber. Has diuretic, cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory properties