Vadagam

Dive into the traditional flavors of South India with Vadagam, a sun-dried seasoning ball brimming with aromatic ingredients like small onions, garlic, cumin, mustard, and fenugreek seeds. This age-old recipe combines the earthiness of turmeric, the herbal freshness of curry leaves, and the unique richness of castor oil, meticulously hand-mixed and sun-dried for days to achieve its distinct texture and deep flavor. Perfect as a base for curries or gravies, Vadagam packs a powerhouse of umami, adding a rustic, homemade touch to your dishes. Easy to store and long-lasting, this versatile condiment brings authentic Tamil Nadu cuisine right to your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 20

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

Directions

Step 1

Peel the small onions and garlic cloves, then finely chop them. Place into a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and fenugreek seeds to the onion mixture.

Step 3

Wash the curry leaves thoroughly and chop them finely. Add them to the bowl.

Step 4

Mix in the turmeric powder and salt to the mixture.

Step 5

Pour the castor oil over the mixture and stir well to combine all ingredients into a coarse paste.

Step 6

Divide the mixture into small, walnut-sized balls and set them on a clean cloth or a large tray.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Once dried and hardened, store the vadagam in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Step 9

Use pieces of vadagam to flavor curries and gravies by frying them in oil as a base.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(970.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1889.9

Total Fat 133.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 14320.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.1g	0%
Total Sugars 27.0g
Protein 45.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1345.9mg	0%
Iron 56.9mg	0%
Potassium 3650.7mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.7%

Protein: 9.1%

Carbs: 31.2%