Vepa Puvvu Podi | Veppam Poo Podi | Neem Flowers Chutney Powder

I have not posted a recipe in my Food as Medicine series for a while, and here I am today to remedy that with this recipe for the Andhra Vepa Puvvu Podi. Called Veppam Poo Podi in Tamil Nadu, this chutney powder made with neem leaves can keep many an ailment away and keep your digestive system working well.

Traditional Indian kitchen work on the principle of prevention is better than cure, and so many ingredients or dishes that are a part of everyday meals help keep us healthy. This Neem Flowers Chutney Powder is one such recipe.

Health Benefits of Neem Flowers

All parts of the Neem tree are known for their curative and/or palliative properties. Neem flowers in particular are used to:

• keep the gut clean and get rid of intestinal worms
• treat urinary tract infections (UTI)
• control phlegm
• reduce pitta or excessive bile

Who Should Avoid Neem Flowers and Other Neem Products?

It is advisable to avoid any neem-based products if you are:

• pregnant or lactating
• trying to conceive as there is some evidence that neem may reduce fertility
• diabetic as it may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar

Some Handy Tips to Make Veppam Poo Podi

• Dry roast the neem flowers on really low heat and keep an eye on them as they char very quickly. You could also choose to leave the neem flowers in bright sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes and skip the dry roasting.
• I used whole udad dal with skin and black sesame seeds to increase the nutrition quotient of this Vepa Puvvu Karam Podi. Because of this, my neem flowers chutney powder is dark in colour. Use split, skinned udad dal and unhulled white sesame for a lighter, reddish colour.
• While this chutney powder is good for health, do not eat it for prolonged periods as it can cause side-effects such as low blood sugar and more.

Other Recipes in My Food As Medicine Series

• Vamu Kharam: A Traditional Andhra Cure for Indigestion
• Chukku Kaapi | Black Coffee with Dry Ginger: Home Remedy for Cold and Cough
• Chaddannam: Vit B12 Rich, Probiotic, Cooling Summer Breakfast

How to Make Veppam Poo Podi | Vepa Puvvu Karam Podi | Neem Leaves Chutney Powder

1. Roasting the Neem Flowers (Use Low Heat)
   1. Just warm a heavy bottomed pan or wok. Ensure that the pan is not hot because the dried neem flowers will char easily. 
   2. Add 1/3 cup dried neem flowers and dry roast for 30 seconds. 
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   3. Transfer to a plate to cool.
2. Roasting the Dals
   1. To a pan or wok, add 2 tbsp udad dal (I used the unskinned version), 2 tbsp chana dal, and 2 tbsp tuvar dal.
   2. Dry roast the dals till the chana dala and tuvar dal turn golden brown.
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   3. Transfer to a plate to cool.
3. Roasting the Sesame Seeds
   1. In a heavy bottomed pan or wok, over medium heat, dry roast the sesame seeds till they start to crackle.
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   2. Transfer to a plate to cool.
4.  Roasting the Curry Leaves and Chillies
   1. To a heavy bottomed pan or wok, add 1/4 tsp oil.
   2. Add 4 to 6 red chillies and 1/3 cup curry leaves.
   3. Over medium heat, stir-fry till the curry leaves becomes crisp.
   4. Turn off the heat.
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   5. {Optional: Omit for gluten-free option} Add 1/4 tsp asafoetida and mix well.
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   6. Transfer to a plate to cool.
5. Making the Veppam Poo Podi
   1. Add all ingredients and some salt to a coffee grinder or chutney grinder.
   2. Grind to a smooth powder.
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6. Serving the Veppam Poo Podi or Vepa Puvvu Podi
   1. To 1/2 cup hot steamed rice, add 1/2 tsp Neem Leaves Chutney Powder and 1/2 tsp ghee.
   2. Mix well.
   3. Eat as the first course of a meal.
7. Storing the Chutney Powder
   1. Store in an air-tight bottle.

Recipe for Vepa Puvvu Podi | Veppam Poo Podi | South Indian Neem Flowers Chutney Powder

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Vepa Puvvu Podi | Veppam Poo Podi | Neem Flowers Chutney Powder

Aruna

Vepa Puvvu Podi or Veppam Poo Podi is a South Indian Neem flowers chutney powder that is eaten with rice and ghee. This chutney powder helps you reap the many health benefits of neem flowers such as improving digestion, keeping the gut clean, reducing "pitta" and more.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Food As Medicine, Gluten Free, Indian, South Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings 30 Servings

Equipment

• Wok
• Spatula
• Grinder
• Plate

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 tbsp Chana Dal (30 gms)
• 2 tbsp Tuvar Dal (30 gms)
• 2 tbsp Udad Dal (30 gms)
• 2 tbsp Sesame Seeds (20 gms)
• 1/2 Cup Dried Neem Flowers (15 gms)
• 1/4 Cup Curry Leaves (8 gms)
• 4 to 6 Dried Red Chillies
• 1/4 tsp Hing
• 1/4 tsp Oil
• Salt to Taste

Instructions

 

Roasting the Neem Flowers (Use Low Heat)

• Just warm a heavy bottomed pan or wok. Ensure that the pan is not hot because the dried neem flowers will char easily.
• Add 1/3 cup dried neem flowers and dry roast for 30 seconds.
• Transfer to a plate to cool.

Roasting the Dals

• To a pan or wok, add 2 tbsp udad dal (I used the unskinned version), 2 tbsp chana dal, and 2 tbsp tuvar dal.
• Dry roast the dals till the chana dala and tuvar dal turn golden brown.
• Transfer to a plate to cool.

Roasting the Sesame Seeds

• In a heavy bottomed pan or wok, over medium heat, dry roast the sesame seeds till they start to crackle.
• Transfer to a plate to cool.

Roasting the Curry Leaves and Chillies

• To a heavy bottomed pan or wok, add 1/4 tsp oil.
• Add 4 to 6 red chillies and 1/3 cup curry leaves.
• Over medium heat, stir-fry till the curry leaves becomes crisp.
• Turn off the heat.
• {Optional: Omit for gluten-free option} Add 1/4 tsp asafoetida and mix well.
• Transfer to a plate to cool.

Making the Vepam Poo Podi or Vepa Puvvu Podi

• Add all ingredients and some salt to a coffee grinder or chutney grinder.
• Grind to a smooth powder.

Serving the Veppam Poo Podi or Vepa Puvvu Podi

• To 1/2 cup hot steamed rice, add 1/2 tsp Neem Leaves Chutney Powder and 1/2 tsp ghee. Mix well.
• Eat as the first course of a meal.

Storing the Neem Flowers Chutney Powder

• Store the Vepa Puvvu Podi in an air-tight bottle.

Notes

I used udad dal with skin and black sesame seeds (that is with skin) to make this podi. As a result, it is dark in colour. If you use hulled udad dal and sesame seeds, the chutney powder will be much lighter in colour.

Keyword Bitter Gourd Chutney Powder, Neem Flowers Chutney Powder, Vepa Puvvu Podi, Vepam Poo Podi, Veppam Poo Podi

Tried this recipe?Do let me know how you liked it @aahaaram or tag #aahaaram!