Tomato thokku is a traditional South Indian condiment with ripe tomatoes and spices. Tomato Thokku in Tamil is known as Thakkali Thokku. Thakkali Thokku is a popular side dish in many South Indian households and is typically served with rice, chapati, idli, dosa, or other Indian bread.
Tomato thokku is a popular pickle made from ripe tomatoes and a blend of aromatic spices. It’s known for its tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet flavour. Tomato thokku is typically made in large batches and stored for an extended period, as it can be preserved for several weeks or even months if handled and stored properly.
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This no onion, no garlic Tomato thokku is a versatile condiment that can be used as a spread on sandwiches, wraps, and burgers or as a dip for chips and crackers. It is also delicious when used as a topping for pizza or added to scrambled eggs for a flavorful twist.
Why do people love Tomato Thokku?
People love tomato thokku for several reasons. Firstly, it has a delicious taste and flavour from the combination of ripe tomatoes, spices, and herbs. The spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet taste of tomato thokku makes it a versatile condiment paired with various dishes, such as rice, bread, and snacks.
Tomato Pickle is easy to make and requires minimal spices and ingredients. It is a great way to use ripe tomatoes and can be prepared in large batches and stored in the refrigerator for later use.
Tomato thokku is a popular and traditional South Indian condiment passed down through generations. It is a staple in many South Indian households and is a beloved part of the region’s cuisine and culture. Its popularity has spread beyond South India, and today it is enjoyed by people worldwide.
Tomatoes are extremely versatile. I often prefer making this thokku in a big batch because tomatoes are always available in the market. We don’t need to wait for a particular season to stock up on tomatoes.
If you love tomato chutney, you will love this thokku as well. Tomatoes can be easy when it comes to cooking. They get cooked quickly, which makes it a very simple recipe.
Tomato thokku is a very travel-friendly recipe as well. As a child, I often travelled on trains for vacations. Tomato thokku and rotis or idlis were always there to keep us company during those train journeys. To date, I love spreading some generous thokku on rotis, rolling them up and eating.
About my Tomato Thokku recipe
Indian Cuisine is so versatile, with so many flavours and spices. Each region has its traditional recipes. South India is known for its spicy varieties of thokku/pickle. Tomato thokku is one of the easiest out there! This is one thokku that is available in my refrigerator almost throughout the year, whether it is tomato season or not. When I am in no mood to make a chutney or sambar, this thokku saves my day. I always make sure I prepare this pickle in large quantities.
For this thokku, we cook the tomatoes until mushy and grind them with tamarind. Then we cook it again in some sesame oil along with the required spices. We cook the tomatoes till they reach the thokku/pickle consistency. Can it get any easier?
While there are many variations, this is a quick tomato pickle recipe from my grandmother’s kitchen. This tangy thokku is my favourite, besides her delicious mango thokku recipe. I love her cooking style and have grown up eating her dishes right from my childhood days.
How to Store Thakkali Thokku
Cool It Completely: Allow the freshly prepared tomato thokku to cool to room temperature before storing it. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container.
Use a Clean and Dry Jar: Choose a clean, dry, and airtight glass or plastic jar for storage. Ensure that the jar is thoroughly dry to prevent moisture from getting in.
Seal the Jar Tightly: Seal the jar with an airtight lid. Make sure it’s closed tightly to prevent air from entering. This will keep the thokku fresh for an extended period.
Store in the Refrigerator: Tomato thokku should be stored in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. The cold temperature slows down any potential spoilage. Place it in the coldest part of your fridge.
Avoid Moisture: Ensure that the jar and its lid are free from moisture, as moisture can lead to spoilage. You can wipe the jar’s exterior to prevent condensation.
Use Clean Utensils: When serving the thokku, always use clean, dry utensils to avoid introducing moisture or contaminants into the jar.
Best ways to serve Tomato Thokku
Tomato thokku is a simple side dish made with basic ingredients. This thokku can be served with a wide range of dishes. Here are some popular ways to serve tomato thokku:
With Rice: In Tamil Nadu, thokku is always served as a part of South Indian Meals. Tomato thokku is often served with steamed rice. Mix a spoonful of tomato thokku with hot rice and enjoy the delicious flavours.
With Indian bread: Tomato thokku goes well with various Indian breads such as chapati, paratha, or naan. Spread some tomato thokku on the bread and roll it up for a quick and tasty snack.
With Idli, Dosa, and Curd Rice: This delicious thakkali thokku is a great side dish for Idli, Dosa and Yogurt Rice or Curd Rice.
With Snacks: This Pickle can also be served as a dip for snacks such as samosas, pakoras, or chips. It adds a spicy and tangy flavour to these snacks.
With Sandwiches and Wraps: Tomato thokku can be used as a sandwich spread and in wraps. It adds a flavour and makes for a great vegetarian or vegan option.
With Eggs: Tomato thokku can be used as a topping for scrambled eggs or omelets. It adds a delicious and spicy twist to this breakfast classic.
Pizza: This perfect recipe can be used as a topping for pizza instead of traditional tomato sauce. It adds a unique flavour and pairs well with a variety of toppings.
How to make Tomato Thokku?
First, roughly chop the fresh tomatoes.
In a pan, add gingelly oil. Once hot, add the chopped tomatoes. Close the pan and cook till the tomatoes turn soft. Add gooseberry-sized tamarind and cook till tomatoes and tamarind turn entirely mushy.
Switch off. Cool down to room temperature and grind it to a fine paste. In the same pan, add sesame oil. Once hot, add the tomato tamarind puree. Keep on medium heat and add salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and Kashmiri red chilli powder. Stir well. Close and cook for 5 minutes.
Keep opening in between and give a stir so that the thakkali thokku doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
Once the tomato thokku starts becoming thick, add jaggery. Mix well and keep cooking. The tomato thokku should not stick to the sides of the pan and should come together. That’s the indication that the thokku is done.
Switch off. In another pan, add sesame oil. Once hot, add mustard and fenugreek seeds. As soon as the mustard starts spluttering, add it to the thokku and give it a mix.
Once it cools to room temperature, store the homemade Thakkali thokku in an air-tight container and refrigerate. Use a clean spoon to serve.
Tips & Suggestions
- For the best flavour and texture, select ripe, juicy tomatoes.
- Use the right variety of tomatoes: Different varieties have varying acidity and sweetness levels. For a balanced tomato thokku, choose a slightly sweet and tangy variety.
- Sauté the spices well: Properly sautéing the mustard seeds, and fenugreek seeds in hot oil is crucial to release their flavours. Be careful not to burn them, as this can result in a bitter taste.
- Don’t rush the cooking process: Slow-cook the tomato mixture until the oil separates and the thokku reaches a jam-like consistency. This slow cooking allows the flavours to meld and develop fully.
- Adjust the spice level: Adjust the amount of red chili powder to your spice preference. Remember that the spiciness may intensify as the thokku matures, so you can start with a moderate level and add more spice powder if needed.
- Balance sweetness and salt: Achieve the perfect balance between sweetness and salt by adjusting the amount of jaggery or sugar and salt according to your taste.
- Store properly: To ensure the thokku stays fresh and retains its flavor, store it in a clean, dry, airtight glass jar in the refrigerator. Ensure that the jar is free of moisture to prevent spoilage and for a long shelf life.
- Use clean, dry utensils: When serving or scooping out thokku, always use clean and dry utensils to avoid introducing moisture or contaminants into the jar.
- Experiment with spices: While the basic recipe includes mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and red chili powder, feel free to experiment with spices like cumin seeds, coriander powder, or curry leaves
- Personalize it: Thakkali thokku recipe can be customized to your taste. Some people like to add garlic or ginger for additional flavor. You can also incorporate chopped green chilies if you love a spicy pickle.
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Recipe Card
Tomato Thokku | Easy Thakkali Thokku
Ingredients
- 500 gms Tomato
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- Salt as needed
- 1 tablespoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
- Tamarind small gooseberry sized
- 1 teaspoon Jaggery
- 3 tablespoon Sesame oil + 1 teaspoon to cook the tomatoes and tamarind
For Tempering
- 2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- ¼ teaspoon Fenugreek seeds
Instructions
- Chop the tomatoes into pieces. In a pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil. Once hot, add the tomatoes. Close the pan and cook till the tomatoes turn soft. Add gooseberry-sized tamarind and cook till tomatoes and tamarind turn entirely mushy.
- Switch off. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and grind it to a fine paste. In the same pan, add 3 tablespoon of sesame oil. Once hot, add the tomato tamarind puree. Keep on medium heat and add salt, chilli powder, turmeric powder, and Kashmiri chilli powder. Stir well. Close and cook for 5 minutes.
- Keep opening in between and give a stir so that the thakkali thokku doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Once the tomato thokku starts becoming thick, add jaggery. Mix well and keep cooking. The tomato thokku should not stick to the sides of the pan and should come together. That's the indication that the thokku is done.
- Switch off. In another pan, add sesame oil. Once hot, add mustard and fenugreek seeds. As soon as the mustard starts spluttering, add it to the thokku and give it a mix.
- Once it cools to room temperature, store the homemade Tomato Thokku in an air-tight container and refrigerate. Use a clean spoon to serve.