Chembu Kara Kuzhambu

Chembu/Colacasia  is used widely in Kerala in a wide variety of recipes. Kara Kuzhambu, literally meaning spicy curry, is usually made with drum sticks or ladies finger but we like to add Chembu to make it interesting.


What you need for chembu kara kuzhambu:

• Chembu-4 peeled and cut into halves
• Onion-1 chopped fine
• Green chilli-2 slit
• Garlic-4 pods
• Ginger-1 piece chopped fine
• Curry leaves-few
• Tomato-2 chopped fine
• Tamarind-1 small ball soaked in water
• Home made powder-2 tbsp
• Turmeric powder-a pinch
• Panchpooran(or mixture of mustard,fennel,fenugreek,sesame seeds)-1 tbsp
• Salt to taste

The preparation method:

• Heat some oil in a pan and splutter panchpooran(mixture of mustard,fennel,fenugreek,sesame seeds) seeds.
• Fry chopped ginger,garlic,curry leaves and green chilli.
• Sauté chopped onion till they turn golden brown and add the chembu/colcasia pieces.
• Add the chopped tomato pieces and cook till they are well done.
• Add turmeric powder and home made masala powder(made of coriander and red chilli powder) and cook till the masala is well mixed with the rest.
• Add the water in which the tamarind was soaked and squeeze the tamarind till it becomes dry.Cook for some more time in a low flame.
• Finally  garnish with coriander leaves.
• Hot & spicy Chembu kara kozhumbu is ready to be served with rice.