Horse Gram Snack / Sundal ( கொள்ளு சுண்டல் )

Horse Gram Snack / Sundal ( கொள்ளு சுண்டல் )

Ingredients:

Horse Gram (கொள்ளு)  -  1/2 cup

Grated coconut  ( துருவிய தேங்காய் )  - 3 tbsp

Mustard seeds ( கடுகு )  - 1/2 tsp

Split urad dal  ( உடைத்த உளுந்தம்பருப்பு ) - 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida ( பெருங்காயம் )  - a pinch

Curry leaves ( கறிவேப்பிலை) - a twig

Dry red chilli ( மிளகாய் வற்றல் )  - 1 (halved)

Sesame oil ( நல்லெண்ணெய் )  - 1 tbsp

Steps:

                                        

Wash and soak horse gram overnight. Remove small stones or other impurities which may be present.

Boil in a pressure cooker for 4 whistles, turned down the flame and cook in low flame for 3 to 5 more minutes.

Strain the boiled water  and do not throw away as it has lots of nutrients. Reserve it to use as a stock for soup/ rasam. 

In a pan, heat a teaspoon of sesame oil. Add mustard seeds, split urad dal for seasoning. Add the halved dry red chilli followed by asafoetida and curry leaves.

Add the boiled legume, salt and coconut. Mix well. Switch off the flame.

An excellent, protein packed evening snack is ready.

Notes:

Horse gram took its English name from its usage as a staple food for the horses. It is called Kollu in Tamil.

Like other millets and legumes, it is an under utilized legume but getting its place on the dining table in the recent past.

It is a high powered, protein rich legume.

In addition to having the highest calcium content among the legumes, its benefits are wide varied ranging from relief for common cold to bronchitis, jaundice, ulcers to weight management.

It is a challenge to soft boil the legume and takes a lot of chewing and eating. So not a much preferred ingredient in cooking.

But with the right amount of time in soaking and cooking, it can be incorporated in various ways.

For easy digestion, it can be sprouted and cooked. It takes three days for the soaked horse gram to sprout.

Steamed horse gram cake, rasam, thuvaiyal, sprouted curry are some of the dishes that I have tried successfully.

Horse gram has the ability to generate heat for which it is consumed during winter days.

If you feel too much heat on normal/ warm days,  balance it by eating salads or drink buttermilk, both of which cools the body system.

I had prepared Green Apple salad with honey to complete the snack.