Voddio

I discovered this delicious ingredient on a trip to the local market. Voddio are sun dried morsels of umami goodness, adding flavour and punch to coconut curries and delicious eaten as a kismur by themselves. They are made of mashed white pumpkin and uddid dal and spices that are then dried into little crinckly discs or voddios, its pungent moreish taste is extremely unique and will definitely leave you wanting more. Look out for the packets of the voddio made by goan village women when you shop at the friday market in mapusa or at the Goan Mahila Mandal stores. Here are two delicious recipes to try. Happy Cooking.

Voddianchim Kismur

Ingredients

1 cup voddio

2 medium onion finely sliced

1 cup freshly grated coconut

1 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon red chilli powder

Salt to taste

Fresh Green Chilli to garnish (optional)

Method

Heat the oil in a pan and fry the voddio over low heat, taking care not to burn them. They crisp up on cooling. Pound the voddio. Fry the sliced onions till translucent. When ready to serve, toss the crushed voddio, fried onions and freshly grated coconut together. Season with salt and chilli powder. Garnish with sliced green chillies if you like. Serve immediately with rice and curry.

Voddiancho Ros

Ingredients

2 cups coconut milk

1 teaspoon chilli powder

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

¾ cup voddio

2 teaspoons oil

¼ teaspoon mustard seeds

1 small onion, finely diced

2-3 tablespoons tamarind pulp

salt and sugar to taste

Method

Roast the voddio in a little oil over low heat heat,taking care not to burn them . When lightly fried, keep the voddio aside. Heat some more oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, allow to pop, add in the onions, saute till soft and translucent, then add ½ cup of thin coconut milk, chilli powder, turmeric and tamarind. When warmed through add the fried voddio and remaining coconut milk and simmer on low for 5 minutes. Season with salt and add a little sugar to balance. This ros is delicious served with some hot steamed rice.