Vadagam
Discover the vibrant flavors of South Indian cuisine with Vadagam, a traditional sun-dried seasoning that serves as a fragrant base for curries and gravies. Made with a medley of finely chopped small onions, garlic cloves, and aromatic spices like cumin, mustard, and fenugreek seeds, this unique recipe combines turmeric, curry leaves, castor oil, and salt to create a rich, well-balanced paste. The magic of Vadagam lies in its preparation—formed into small balls and carefully sun-dried over several days to intensify its bold flavors and extend its shelf life. Ideal for anyone seeking an authentic culinary experience, Vadagam is your ticket to elevating simple dishes with a burst of robust, savory depth. Perfect for meal prep and long-term storage, this seasoning is a true hero in South Indian kitchens.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams Small onions
- 100 grams Garlic cloves
- 50 grams Cumin seeds
- 50 grams Mustard seeds
- 25 grams Fenugreek seeds
- 100 grams Curry leaves
- 1 tablespoon Turmeric powder
- 100 ml Castor oil
- 2 tablespoons Salt
Instructions
Peel the small onions and garlic cloves, then finely chop them. Place into a large mixing bowl.
Add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and fenugreek seeds to the onion mixture.
Wash the curry leaves thoroughly and chop them finely. Add them to the bowl.
Mix in the turmeric powder and salt to the mixture.
Pour the castor oil over the mixture and stir well to combine all ingredients into a coarse paste.
Divide the mixture into small, walnut-sized balls and set them on a clean cloth or a large tray.
Place the tray in a dry, sunny area for 4-5 days, allowing the balls to dry completely under the sun. Rotate them occasionally to ensure even drying.
Once dried and hardened, store the vadagam in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Use pieces of vadagam to flavor curries and gravies by frying them in oil as a base.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
89 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.6 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 590 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 6.8 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 2.1 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 55 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 152 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
