Teepi Velakkaya Bellam Pachadi | Sweet Wood Apple Chutney with Jaggery

Velakkaya Bellam Pachadi is a sweet and tangy chutney made with Wood Apple and Jaggery. This recipe was suggested by a reader named Sudha Devnath as a comment to my Velakkaya Perugu Pachadi recipe. She is due to share her recipe with me and I am waiting eagerly for it. In the meantime, I had a Wood Apple ripening at home and searched the net for a recipe and this is the most common version I found.

This is the first time I am making and eating Velakkaya Bellam Pachadi, and I quite enjoyed it.

Read more about Velakkaya or Wood Apple in my post on Velakkaya Perugu Pachadi 

How to Make Teepi Velakkaya Bellam Pachadi | Sweet and Tangy Wood Apple Chutney with Jaggery

Time: 10 Minutes

Makes: 1 Cup

Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients

1. Velakkaya, Wood Apple – 1 Large (About 1 Cup of Pulp)
2. Grated Jaggery – 1/3 Cup
3. Red Chilli Powder – 1 tsp
4. Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
5. Red Chillies – 1 or 2
6. Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp
7. Turmeric – A Large Pinch
8. Salt to Taste
9. Oil – 2 tsp

Method to Make Velakkaya Bellam Pachadi

1. Extracting the Pulp:
   1. Use the handle of a large knife or a heavy ladle to crack open the Velakkaya.
   2. Using a spoon, scoop out the pulp.
   3. Using a spoon, gently mash the pulp a bit.
2. In a pan, heat 1 tsp of oil.
3. Add the Velakkaya pulp.
4. Stir-fry for 5 minutes or till the raw aroma disappears. You can even add a bit of water and cook the pulp, if so required.
5. Turn off the heat.
6. Add the turmeric, salt, cumin, red chilli powder, and jaggery. Mix well.
7. Use a heavy ladle, mix well till the Velakkaya Bellam Pachadi is mashed and well-blended.
   Or
   Using some water, grind the cooked wood apple to a smooth paste.
8. Take the Velakkaya Bellam Pachadi into a bowl.
9. To temper:
   1. Heat 1 tsp oil.
   2. Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
   3. Add the split red chillies.
   4. Add the tempering to Velakkaya Perugu Pachadi.
   5. Mix well.
10. Serve Velakkaya Bellam Pachadi at room temperature with rice.